Fans enjoying themselves at a GTH meeting at Hollywoodbets Greyville last year (Picture: GTH).
GTH – Unlocking The Power Of Fun!
Embracing the fun and social aspects of a day at the races, with fans watching every race from start to finish, is a game-changer. Global Team Horse Racing (GTH) presents a thrilling and exhilarating experience that takes away complicated race form assessments and the pressure of choosing winners with the focus rather on supporting a team. It puts excitement and energy at the forefront of the spectacle of horse racing and brings a potentially huge new audience within reach for a unique and playful experience!
Super-charged team-based racing, supported by increased stakes for the best stable participation, and brief, entertainment-filled intervals are at the centre of this innovation. Add to this DJs, music, food and dancers and the stage is set for a young, new crowd and, importantly, corporate sponsors backed by wide media coverage.
With original thinking in the social media sphere, GTH gave life to ‘Speedbreaker’, the horse that broke the speed limit on a Johannesburg Road and ran away from the traffic cops in a stunt video that captured attention, and imagination, on various platforms. Angus Campbell, Marketing Director of GTH, explained: “We can call Speedbreaker a ‘horsefluencer’. He is the face of this innovative and inclusionary event, designed for racing to thrive in a world of tech and online attractions for adults and children.”
Speedbreaker caught the attention of some high-profile racing personalities, too, including multiple champion trainer Sean Tarry, who commented: “I like out-of-the box thinking. GTH is a work in progress, I liked what I saw from them in their launch series last year. There is no doubt they will find the right formula and I am happy to support them.”
The legendary Michael Roberts, champion jockey-turned trainer, said he appreciated the frank and open approach followed by the GTH leadership. “I enjoyed the first series, I think it’s a good concept and when they came to see us recently I was able to put forward some suggestions I believe will make the next one even better. They engaged with us, I like that, and I was impressed by their forward thinking and innovation. I think they have a good concept here.”
Mike de Kock, a Group-winning winning trainer in seven countries, said he found the GTH Series most refreshing. He said: “What we know is that racing urgently needs a new generation of fans. What we don’t know is how many fans there would be who’d enjoy the game as a sport without the focus on the betting aspects. This is where GTH is on the right target. There is a potentially huge global market and this concept warrants industry support. Historically, in countless businesses and sporting disciplines, innovations refreshed and changed their core foundations for great progress. We have nothing to lose, much to gain!”
Colin Gordon, COO of 4Racing, said that he, as a ‘traditionalist’, watched the first series with some guarded scepticism, but that he was most impressed with what the GTH team managed to achieve. “Any initiatives aimed at attracting a new fan base and interest in our fantastic sport should be applauded. I think what is good is that they are taking elements that work for other sports and incorporating it in their racing product.”
Top jockey Gavin Lerena, who rode two winners for the Gauteng Gijimaz last year, said he enjoyed the team-based competition and that the short intervals resulted in “action, all round!”
Champion apprentice Rachel Venniker, herself among the winners last August, said that the difference in atmosphere was refreshing. “Things are normally very quiet, but with the GTH series we could hear the crowd cheering us on as we entered the straight. There was a noticeable difference, definitely a great vibe and I loved it. When is the next one, do we have a date yet?”
Muzi Yeni, who captained the winning KZN Royals last year, said that he was impressed by the marketing around the event. “We saw the promotions everywhere and the fans came out in support. It was awesome and actually tested our riding skills because riding without whips brings the ‘mind’ element into it.”
Fans who attended meetings during the first series last year have been actively commenting on social media since.
Nicole April commented on Twitter: “I attended one of the live events and had the time of my life. My favourite moment is how excited everyone gets when the horses come in and how they all cheer them on until they cross the finish line. It’s been a while since we’ve seen people out, so happy and cheerful. We really had a blast!”
Jaco de Beer noted on Facebook: “Can’t wait for this year’s series. Loved it last year!”
Janita Edwards wrote: “What an epic championship. It certainly changes the face of horse racing. I am a forever fan!”
Perfection is one of the horses who helps attract interest in East Cape racing. (Pauline Herman Photography).
8% Increase In Total Stakes For Eastern Cape Races
For the period 1 June 2023 to 28 February 2024
4Racing is pleased to announce an 8% increase in total stakes for Eastern Cape races to
R31 776 570 for the period 1 June 2023 to 28 February 2024, a considerable increase from
last year’s stakes of R29 234 445 for the corresponding period.
This was made possible by a budgeted increase by 4Racing of 8% in stakes for the season.
The stakes increase has focused on beefing up the minor races, with stakes increased
by 12%.
The detailed breakdown of the stakes is as follows:
| Stakes – Eastern Cape – June 2023 to February 2024 | ||||||
| Handicaps | ||||||
| Division | Open | 2022 | 2023 | F&M | 2022 | 2023 |
| A | 100 | R90 000 | R98 000 | 96 | R87 500 | R95 500 |
| B | 90 | R85 000 | R95 500 | 86 | R82 500 | R93 000 |
| Divided | Top | R82 500 | R93 000 | Top | R82 500 | R90 500 |
| Divided | Bottom | R63 000 | R78 000 | Bottom | R63 000 | R75 500 |
| C | 82 | R80 000 | R88 000 | 78 | R73 500 | R81 500 |
| D | 74 | R67 000 | R78 000 | 70 | R65 500 | R75 500 |
| E | 66 | R63 000 | R71 000 | 62 | R63 000 | R71 000 |
| Plates | Open | 2022 | 2023 | F&M | 2022 | 2023 |
| Pinnacle | R90 000 | R100 000 | R90 000 | R95 000 | ||
| Middle | R85 000 | R87 000 | R85 000 | R87 000 | ||
| Classified | R65 500 | R74 500 | R65 500 | R72 000 | ||
| Progress | R80 000 | R84 500 | R80 000 | R84 500 | ||
| Graduation | R75 000 | R80 000 | R75 000 | R80 000 | ||
| Novice | R70 000 | R75 000 | R70 000 | R75 000 | ||
| Conditions (x3) | R80 000 | R87 000 | R80 000 | R87 000 | ||
| Conditions (x3) | R80 000 | R84 500 | R80 000 | R84 500 | ||
| Special | R80 000 | R87 000 | R80 000 | R84 500 | ||
| Maidens | Open | 2022 | 2023 | F&M | 2022 | 2023 |
| All Maidens | R65 000 | R70 000 | R65 000 | R70 000 | ||
| Handicaps | R60 000 | R66 000 | R60 000 | R66 000 | ||
| Juveniles | Open | 2022 | 2023 | Fillies | 2022 | 2023 |
| Winners | R70 000 | R77 000 | R70 000 | R77 000 | ||
| Maidens | R65 000 | R72 000 | R65 000 | R72 000 | ||
Al Muthana Most Important Horse To Look For Among July Entries
Forte settles into his new stall at Churchill Downs (Coady Photo)
Kentucky Derby Favourite Arrived At Churchill Downs Yesterday
St. Elias Stable and Repole Stable’s Kentucky Derby favorite Forte arrived at Churchill Downs from South Florida just after 4 a.m. Monday.
Forte arrived following a 14-hour van ride from his winter base at Palm Beach Downs in Delray Beach, Fla. The talented 3-year-old colt will enter this year’s Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve with a deep résumé that includes victories in the Grade 1 Hopeful, G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, G2 Fountain of Youth, and G1 Florida Derby.
Forte, the champion 2-year-old male of 2022, is based in Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher’s Barn 39 at Churchill Downs, which has quickly become full with 36 horses including fellow Kentucky Derby contenders Kingsbarns and Tapit Trice.
Spendthrift Farm’s Kingsbarns arrived around 9 a.m. from Palm Beach Downs.
Less than 24 hours earlier, Whisper Hill Farm and Gainesway Stables’ Tapit Trice vanned from Keeneland to Churchill Downs.
The Derby will be run on May 6. meaning Forte will be at the famous venue for the race for close to three weeks.
Settled Dave The King Could Be A Massive Champions Season Campaigner
Dave The King made his Highveld debut for new trainer Mike de Kock in a Graduation Plate today over 1200m on the Turffontein Inside track and the most noticeable aspect of the win was the way he responded like a lamb when Craig Zackey reined him to the back of the field from the off.
He also settled well when second in the R7,5 million Gold Rush over 1600m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, despite being caught wide from a wide draw.
Previous trainer Vaughan Marshall deserves accolades for the work he did on the big bay, because the quirks that on one occasion saw him being eased out of the race and on another occasion saw him tearing away in the front appear to be behind him.
The sky could be the limit now for the big Global View colt as he has a fine turn of foot and a huge stride and the 135-time Grade 1-winning trainer De Kock should get the best out of him.
He is likely to be seen in the Grade 2 WSB Guineas on May 6 at Hollywoodbets Greyville next.
De Kock said in the winning interview he believed him to be a Guineas horse, but added “the further the better for him”, so this makes him in an exciting campaigner for the SA Champions season.
De Kock’s most successful periods have always been associated with top jockeys, with Weichong Marwing, Kevin Shea and Anthony Delpech being the most prolific of them, and he appears to have found the perfect stable jockey in Craig Zackey, who has good hands and can be relied on to ride sensible races.
Dave The King displayed his fine turn of foot at the 500m mark which carried him down the inside on to the heels of the leaders.
He was a touch fortunate a gap opened as the latter were crammed along the inside rail.
His big stride carried him past the leaders under a hands and heels ride.
He won by 1,50 lengths.
In time it could turn out to be top form because the next two finishers, Southern Skies and Back In Business, are held in high esteem.
Extraordinarily Good Photograph Of A National Hunt Chaser
Photographer extraordinaire Michael Harris took this picture of Saint Sam in the Grade 1 Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival last year. Saint Sam won at Tramore on Sunday, his fifth career win and second chase victory.
The John and Thady Gosden-trained Covey (Frankel) provided Drankie Dettori with his first win in his final season when scoring at Newmarket today. (planetsport.com).
Dettori Back With A Bang
www.attheraces.com
‘I was counting it this morning, I’ve got exactly six months left’.
Frankie Dettori insists he will not start crying just yet, as he began his final season riding in the UK in the best possible fashion when partnering Covey to an easy victory at Newmarket on Tuesday.
Dettori announced in December that 2023 would be his last year in the saddle and the 52-year-old has just returned from a fruitful spell in America.
While there is no denying Dettori’s Italian roots, Newmarket has been his home since 1985 when he arrived in the UK as a teenager and it was fitting that his swansong season began on his doorstep.
The afternoon began in less than auspicious circumstances for him when the fancied Unforgotten trailed home in last in the Close Brothers Handicap.
Then he teamed up with an old pal in Reach For The Moon, who this time last year was intended to be Dettori’s Derby mount before he failed to recover from an injury in time for a Classic bid.
The 2021 Solario Stakes winner now appears to be going in the wrong direction as having made the running early in first-time blinkers, the King’s runner tamely dropped away to also be last.
It was not going well for Dettori – two rides, both last. But then Covey stepped up to the plate in the Alex Scott Maiden Stakes.
Sent off the 5-6 favourite having chased home the potentially smart Zoology at Southwell on debut two weeks ago, Dettori decided to take matters into his own hands.
Dettori has won many a big race from the front and those tactics suited this Juddmonte-owned son of Frankel down to the ground, with the race all but over with two furlongs to run. He ended up an easy four-length winner.
He may be in his 50s and he may have been deprived of sleep, but Dettori is still the biggest draw in racing and the three-times champion jockey received a generous reception on his return to unsaddle.
“I arrived this morning, I slept two hours on the plane and two hours in my bed this morning!” he said.
“I had to start somewhere and I thought this was a good favourite. Reach For The Moon was a bit disappointing, but that’s the game and it’s good to get a win on the board.
“I was counting it this morning, I’ve got exactly six months left. It is six months until October 21 on Champions Day, but I’ve still got plenty to do and I’m not going to start crying yet, I’m going to enjoy it.
“He seemed a nice horse, he did it all on his own and he’s learning still but he felt nice.”
Covey is trained by John and Thady Gosden and after their rather public fallout last season, brief as it was, Gosden senior and his jockey appear back on the best of terms.
John Gosden said: “He only landed at 6am so it’s good to put him on a winner.”
Of Covey, he added: “He ran a great race first time, he’s come here, grabbed the rail and did everything nicely, he’ll probably step up to a mile.
“There are no plans, he was a bit sicky last year so he missed last year, but he made rapid progress this year which is the main thing.
“It was only two weeks since his debut and the horse who beat him is entered in the Greenham.”
S’Manga Khumalo celebrates with some water today at Turffontein after riding the Joe Soma-trained Brave Viking (William Longsword) to victory (JC Photos).
Tarry, Khumalo Doubles
Sean Tarry and S’Manga Khumalo both scored doubles at the Turffontein Inside track meeting today.
Tarry goes to 76 wins for the season at a strike rate of 15.73%.
Khumalo goes to 122 wins for the season at a strike rate of 16.83%.
Silver Sword being ridden out recently by Kyle Strydom, who had to relinquish the ride today because of a bout of flu and fellow South African Greg Cheyne was the beneficiary (via Twitter)
Cheyne Keeps Up 100% Strike Rate With Win On Cunha Runner
Greg Cheyne made it two wins from two rides in his new career in the U.K. when bringing home the Dylan Cunha-trained Silver Sword in a Maiden Stakes race over a mile on the all weather at Southwell today.
Cheyne’s first ride in England was on Saturday aboard a William Haggas-trained horse over a mile on the turf at Yarmouth.
Cunha has now had four wins in the U.K.
Today’s Question
Cheryl White was on the cover of Jet magazine a month after her race riding debut.(Andscape)
