Corne Orffer Joins The Expanding Michelle Rix Yard
Corne Orffer after winning the Gr 1 Cape Guineas on the Brett Crawford-trained Kilindini, a ride for which he received widespread praise (Picture: Chase Liebenberg)
Piere Corne Orffer has joined the burgeoning Michelle Rix yard as stable jockey.
The Milnerton-based yard has grown in numbers in the space of a year from 18 horses to 50.
Michelle said, “We were trying to find a jockey who would fit into the yard and who wasn’t attached to any other yard, so we gave it a bit of thought and Corne’s name came up and he was available. He was the obvious choice as he has got a lot of experience, he has BMT and he gives good feedback. He has done well over the years with Brett Crawford and with Andre Nel. It all happened quckly and we agreed instantly. It was the right time for ourselves and also the right time for Corne.”
Corne is 45 years old which is not old for a jockey by modern standards.
According to Sahorseracing.co.za he had 76 wins as an apprentice and he has had 790 wins as a fully fledged jockey.
He had a successful seven year stint with Brett Crawford and the highlight for him was winning the Gr 1 Cape Guineas on Kilindini.
His highlight for Andre Nel was winning the country’s most prestigious staying race, the Gr 3 World Pool Gold Cup on Master Redoute, a horse on whom he also won the Gr 3 New Turf Carriers Western Cape Stayers.
Corne has won five Gr 3’s this decade and also won one Gr 2, the Athonij Rupert Wyne Premier Trophy on the Vaughan Marshall-trained Rascallion.
He went close to big race glory last year when finishing second in the Gr 1 L’Ormarins King’s Plate on the Piet Botha-trained Montien.
He has also ridden with success in Mauritius, finishing third on the log in 2007.
He has had a quiet season to date as he is not attached to a yard at the moment, but his last two full seasons in SA have yielded returns of 43 wins at 13.07% in the 2023/2024 season and 43 wins at 10.78% in the 2024/2025 season.
Michelle said about the yard’s recent growth, “We have restructured the business through pure grit and hard work, it has become a 24-hour job, that’s what you have got to do to build things up and it seems to have worked. A lot of support has come from Turf Talk and also from Jonathan Bloch, he has been a massive supporter and has brought new people into the yard.”
The likes of Francis Carruthers and Braam van Huysteen are also now strong supporters of the yard.
She said, “We have 26 two-year-olds. The two-year-olds are very nice and represent sires such as One World, Master Of My Fate and What a Winter. It has been nice to have been able to handpick the ones we wanted and we will also be getting support to buy at the forthcoming Sales, so we have a lot to look forward to with our two-year-olds.”
The yard has a patient approach with their two-year-olds and do not push them.
Michelle said,” We will make sure our two-year-olds get the right footing here in Cape Town.”
She continued, “We have 13 older horses in training, including the like of Elusive Winter (a six-time winner rated 104), and Handsome Prince. Both are owned by Westward Bloodstock, whom we are privileged to have in our yard and Fiona (Carmichael) is a wonderful friend. Time For Love, who won a Gr 3 on WSB Met day as a six-year-old, is also a stable favourite.”
This year’s Race Coast Sales Premier Yearling Sale in March will be particularly exciting for MIchelle, because it will see the first Kommetdiedings up for auction.
Kommetdieding became only the seventh horse in history to win both the Durban July and the Met and Michelle and her father Harold Crawford became the first small yard to win the July since Eric Antelme did it with Gondolier in 1985.
She said she had deliberately stayed away from looking at too many Kommetdiedings on the farms, knowing she would have had a biased view, and she would like to rather be able to compare them to other yearlings at the Sales.
Michelle Rix is a fine horsewoman who has proved she can take horses to the top and it is good to see the exciting times the yard deserve have now dawned.
They are definitely a yard to follow.
Khaya Stables’ Honour Roll - An Impressive List!
Lady Christine Laidlaw’s Khaya Stables has had astonishing success in horseracing in a relatively short space of time and, considering the breeding bloodstock the operation now has, the sky seems the limit. Lady Laidlaw is pictured leading in her champion sprinter Gimme A Prince (Picture: Wayne Marks)
Sarah Whitelaw
Established less than 20 years ago, Lady Christine Laidlaw’s Khaya Stables has unleashed an impressive list of stars over the years.
Aided by trainers, notably Dean Kannemeyer, and Form Bloodstock’s Jehan Malherbe, Khaya Stables continues to send out classy performers with the organisation blessed with this season’s G1 L’Ormarins King’s Plate winner The Real Prince and several promising three-year-olds this season. What perhaps is most remarkable about Khaya Stables’ success is the fact that Lady Laidlaw only purchases two or three horses annually.
Another impressive fact about Khaya Stables is the number of horses raced by Lady Laidlaw who have gone on to stand at stud. Noordhoek Flyer, Capetown Noir, Last Winter, Divine Jet and Green With Envy all ended up enjoying careers at stud.
A number of jockeys have enjoyed notable success in the famed yellow and black silks. Karl Neiusius helped put Khaya Stables on the map, and he was followed by Anthony Delpech, Keagan De Melo and Craig Zackey.
Early big race success
Remarkably, the first horse purchased for Lady Laidlaw was Noordhoek Flyer (Pivotal -Serra Negra). Sent to Dean Kannemeyer, the chestnut stamped himself as one of the best of his generation when victorious in both the 2009 G1 Bloodstock SA Cape Guineas and 2010 G2 KRA Guineas. Noordhoek Flyer, who was bred by Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein, also finished runner up in the 2009 G2 Selangor Cup (behind eventual Met winner Past Master) and fourth in the 2010 G1 Daily News 2000 (beaten by eventual Horse Of The Year Irish Flame).
Remarkably, Khaya Stables won the Cape Guineas just three years later when their Capetown Noir captured the 2012 G1 Cape Premier Yearling Sale. Bred by Lammerskraal Stud, the handsome bay won eight of 20 starts, with Capetown Noir’s three G1 wins including triumphs in the 2013 G1 Investec Cape Derby and 2014 G1 L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate. The bay, who ran second to subsequent champion sire Vercingetorix in the 2013 G2 K R A Guineas, was named Equus Champion Miler of 2014.
At stud, Capetown Noir would go on to sire the G1 winners Bohica (2022 Pongracz Cape Flying Championship) and Under Your Spell (2021 Allan Robertson Championship).
Khaya Stables have a wonderful record in the Cape Guineas. Not only did the Lady Laidlaw owned Noordhoek Flyer and Capetown Noir both win the Cape classic, but Khaya Stables also raced At My Command, Gimme Rules, Cosmic Highway, Green With Envy -all of whom were placed in the Guineas.
Wonder mare is a Real Princess
The beautifully bred Real Princess has been one of the cornerstones of Khaya Stables’ success. Bred by Klawervlei Stud, Real Princess was knocked down to Form Bloodstock for R2.7 million at the 2013 Cape Premier Yearling Sale. She proved a star on both the racetrack and at stud.
The Trippi half-sister to G1 Cape Guineas winning sire William Longsword won six of 22 starts while earning nearly R1 000 000 in prize money. Real Princess’ biggest triumph came when she won the 2016 G1 South African Fillies Sprint (where her beaten rivals include champion Carry On Alice), and was also victorious in the 2016 G3 Poinsettia Stakes.
However, Real Princess has proven to be an even better broodmare than she was a racehorse. South Africa’s Champion Broodmare Of 2024-2025, Real Princess has produced three graded stakes winners led by Equus Champion Sprinter, and triple G1 winner, Gimme A Prince. The mare is also the dam of 2026 G1 L’Ormarins King’s Plate/2025 G1 Hollywoodbets Durban July winner The Real Prince, and 2024 G3 Baker McVeigh Diana Stakes queen Gimmie’s Countess. Real Princess’ current three-year-old Gimmie Rules ran fourth in this season’s G1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas.
July success
Khaya Stables has twice enjoyed success in South Africa’s most famous horse race. In 2015, the Khaya Stables owned Power King won the G1 Vodacom Durban July (the 2015 July famously saw sons of Silvano finish 1-2-3). Prior to his July success, the Maine Chance Farms bred Power King had won both the G3 Winter Guineas and G3 Winter Classic. He came into that year’s July off a close second place finish in the G2 Betting World 1900.
Khaya Stables’ second success in the July came when their homebred The Real Prince captured the 2025 G1 Hollywoodbets Durban July. Cleverly placed going into the July, The Real Prince made a mockery of his 14-1 starting price when accounting for subsequent Horse Of The Year Eight On Eighteen by a neck. The gelding would go on to show his class when landing the 2026 G1 L’Ormarins King’s Plate before finishing a close up third in the G1 World Sports Betting Cape Town Met.
Champion Green With Envy
Multiple champion sire Gimmethegreenlight came up with another star for the stable in the form of Green With Envy. The latter, bred and owned by Khaya Stables, was Equus Champion 3YO Colt in 2023-2025. Green With Envy enjoyed a stellar campaign as a three-year-old, winning five of ten starts including four graded races. His black type wins included both the G1 SplashOut Cape Derby and G1 Daily News 2000, as well as the G2 World Sports Betting Guineas. Among the numerous top-class horses defeated by Green With Envy during his career were such G1 winners as Beach Bomb, Double Superlative, Oriental Charm, Sandringham Summit and Snow Pilot.
A half-brother to the promising Coco’s Hero, Green With Envy now stands at Varsfontein Stud alongside his sire.
Other notable performers
Other stakes winners raced by Khaya Stables include Cape Royal, Cape Speed, Cosmic Highway, Delta Queen, Khaya’s Hope, Pomodoro’s Jet, Silvano’s Timer and Solid Speed.
Safe to say, this already impressive list looks sure to growing in the coming seasons!
Black Swan Stud Offer Quality Prospects At Premier Sale
The Black Swan yearlings are always immaculately turned out (Picture: Chase Liebenberg)
It will mark the end of an era when the Black Swan Dispersal Sale takes place at Robertson later this year. The farm bred and raised some top-class horses over the years including Last Winter, Siren’s Call, Freedom Charter, Celtic Rumours and Pretty Betty. Black Swan Stud is also home to champion and successful sire Elusive Fort, whose star son Kommetdieding is set to have his first yearlings on sale this year. Both Elusive Fort and Kommetdieding are well represented in Black Swan’s Premier Yearling Sale draft, with this consignment also including yearlings sired by Canford Cliffs, Erupt and One World.
The farm’s Walter Cowe had the following comments to make about this draft:
Lot 109: Unnamed c Elusive Fort – Step Out
This is an imposing colt, who looks powerful, correct and speedy. He is a full brother to a promising winner, and the mare, whose racing career was cut short by injury, has 2 winners from 2 runners. From the family of Solid Speed, Talahtchie and Lady in Black
Lot 142: Unnamed c Canford Cliffs – White Rose
This is a big strong colt by Canford Cliffs out of a Dynasty mare that has produced three winners from three runners. He stands over ground and is a very athletic walker.
Lot 212: Unnamed c One World – Elusive Heart
The Elusive Fort /Captain Al cross has been incredibly successful, and this colt is bred on the reverse cross. By the sire of One Stripe, top miler in SA and runner up in the Gr 1 Pegasus World Cup Turf, out of Elusive Fort sired Gr 3 Prix du Cap winner Elusive Heart. The dam won or was placed in five graded stakes races and her first foal is a two-time winner. An outstandingly stunning looking colt, he has size and scope and walks well. A very exciting prospect.
Lot 228: Unnamed c Elusive Fort – Field Flower
By the proven sire of Gr 1 winners, including Met and July winner and sire, Kommetdieding. With nothing to prove, this Gr 1 Cape Fillies Guineas mare by Silvano, from the family of legendary racehorse and sire, Bold Ruler, has again produced a stunning half-brother to the talented Last Winter. Beautifully put together, he walks well and looks classy.
Lot 245: Unnamed f Erupt – Goldandsilver
A full sister to the stakes placed Golden Tatjana, this filly has a good walk and is exceptionally pretty. Nothing not to like about her. She is clean limbed, correct and looks a speedy type. The mare has 100% winners from her five runners.
Lot 115: Unnamed f Kommetdieding – Sylvie
This filly has plenty of paddock value. From the family of champion fillies Mother Russia and Nother Russia, by the exciting new sire Kommetdieding. She is a half-sister to three stakes winning fillies, including Gr 2 winner Celtic Rumours, and the very fast Sarah and Almond Sea. She covers ground and she walks like a dream. She has size and scope and very clean limbs.
Lot 151: Unnamed c Kommetdieding -African Honey
Another very handsome strong looking colt from the new kid on the block, Kommetdieding, who stands over ground and is a half-brother to consistent multiple winners. He really fills the eye and walks very well. I like him a lot.
For more information on this draft, please contact Fran Cowe on (063) 662 7005 or Peter de Beyer on (082)4525572
Eight On Eighteen Heads The Early July Market
Can Eight On Eighteen, pictured at last year’s Hollywoodbets Durban July Gallops, make amends for his narrow defeat in the big race last year (Candiese Lenferna Photography)
Eight On Eighteen heads the ante-post Hollywoodbets Durban July market at the pre-nomination stage. with the prices shown all provided by he sponsor.
The first four places have also been laid and the place price for each horse can be worked out by dividing the win price by 6.25.
Note To Self is a progressive type who could become a contender, but the three-year-olds might end up with tough tasks at the weights with the race being a straight handicap and no conditions to limit the amount of weight a three-year-old can carry, so 20/1 at this stage does not represent very good value as there is still a lot of water to flow under the bridge.
EIGHT ON EIGHTEEN 7.14
Battleground Can Get The Ball Rolling At Turffontein
Battleground has bounced back to form off a lowered mark and has a good chance in the first race (JC Photos)
The Turffontein Inside meeting on Thursday kicks off with a MR 86 Handicap over 2600m and the talented stayer Battleground looks the one to beat.
The Lucky Houdalakis-trained six-year-old lost his way last season but has bounced back with good efforts in his last couple of starts having dropped to a competitive merit rating of 89, which is just one point higher than his highest winning mark. He has won over 3200m before so will relish the step up to 2600m and Gavin Lerena will help him negotiate the widest draw of all in the six horse field. Military Moves is an up and coming stayer and will get 9.5kg from Battleground so should make a bold bid. Euphrates is slightly under sufferance but stays well and could earn. Vesuvio is usually thereabouts and can earn again. Bellerephon has shown ability over saying trips and can still improve further. Apache Son ran well over 1800m last time and should stay this trip.
The fourth is the highest rated race, a Conditions Plate over 1450m, and some talented types step out. Pressonregardless is a classy horse with a big action who is coming into his own and he can follow up on his win in a Listed race last time as he beat Grand Empire in that race and the latter went on to finish second in the Gr 2 Gauteng Guineas. Winds Of Change has always had a lot of ability but not much luck and now gets pole position over a trip he should enjoy. Famous Lady disappointed in her penultimate start but bounced back last time and can earn here if able to overcome a wide draw. Just Be Lekker will enjoy this course and distance and has a fair draw. Almond Sea does run on over shorter so is interesting stepped up in trip with Lerena up.
In the second race over 1600m Future Gamble has been unplaced but close up in all four of her starts in the strong centre of Cape Town and is the one to beat on that form, especially considering she finished just 3,60 lengths behind Rose Woott over this trip and the latter is now merit rated 85, whereas the highest merit rating in this race is the 77 rating of Galaxy Queen. However, Galaxy Queen would not be a surprise winner at all as her form has been well franked and she represents the very much in-form stable of Sean Tarry. She does have draw eight though compared to Future Gamble’s draw five. In Between is an improving sort who has a good draw and she should give some cheek.
In the third over 1600m Status is by The United States and is a half-brother to the Gr 1 SA Derby winner Son Of Raj. He made a good debut over 1450m and will relish the step up to this trip, although he does have a tricky draw of eight out of ten. Gimmethespotlight made a good debut and then improved to run 1,40 lengths behind World Order over this trip. World Order then franked the form by winning next time out, so Gimmethespotlight will be a big runner here from draw six of ten with Gavin Lerena up. Forever Red has not been disgraced in Cape Town and could earn earn here. Quevano has also shown enough to earn here. Top Floor made a fair debut but has not run for nine months. He has the ability to be a contender.
In the fifth race over 1450m Got The Feeling has an easier task than recent runs and can go close. Turbo Power is usually right there and will be a threat. Fostinovo is consistent and should be in the shake up. After Hours is a gallant soldier who retains ability. Drivelikeamaster has a form chance here too from a good draw with Lerena up.
In the sixth over 1200m Waiting On Charlie is the form choice here as he will relish the step back in trip and has some eyecatching form over this trip. Bright And Brazenbeat Waiting On Charlie easily over 1450m last time but would likely prefer the latter trip. Sakura Hanami has a reasonable merit rating of 82 considering her good form in the maidens and and she should be right there from a good draw. Misty Metal has the form to earn here. Winds Of Grace ran well first time out of the maidens last time but would likely prefer a bit further.
In the seventh over 2000m Kissing Machine is off a competitive mark and will be in the shake up. Ancient Wisdom went close when her merit rating was decreased to this mark last time and she can repeat off the same mark. Cocomelon has been disappointing but showed signs of a revival last time, so must be respected.
In the eighth over 2000m Falconfly made a good impression last time and rider Blaine Marx-Jaconson is improving, so she looks the one to beat. Back From War just needs to repeat her last run to have a fine chance. Littlemissplendid has been consistently thereabouts and can be again from a plum draw of two.
In the last race over 2000m Express Yourself should be cherry ripe and having run just 2,90 lengths behind the talented Agoge last time he has a chance here. Full Go has run two good races in a row over middle distance and should go close from a plum draw. Fushimi Inari sneaks into the handicap with he minimum weight and has a form chance from a fair draw. Force Publique went close when stepped up to 2000m last time and can improve again here from a good draw. Carnelo has the form to be in the shake up from a good draw.
Venniker, Michel, De Melo and Moore Individual Doubles
Captain Of All filly Captain Ventura (white and black colours) follows up on her maiden win in her fifth career start and gives both Mickaelle Michel and Darry Moore a double on the day (Picture: Race Coast)
Rachel Venniker, Mickaelle Michel and Keagan de Melo rode doubles at Hollywoodbets Scottsville today.
Darryl Moore sent out a double to keep up his high strike rate with small numbers.
Venniker is now on 42 wins for the season achieved at a strike rate of 11.41%.
Mickaelle Michel has reached ten wins in her stint which began on December 7 and she is going at a strike rate of 9.01%.
De Melo is on 41 wins at 17.52%.
Darryl Moore is on 13 wins at 19.40%.
The intriguing race for the KZN Trainers Championship sees Gareth van Zyl now five wins clear on 34 after his treble on Sunday and Alyson Wright is on 29.
Soleil Fighter Can Score A Deserved Win
Soleil Fighter has not won for close to a year but has had five seconds and four thirds since then and can get it right at last on Thusday at Sha Tin (Picture: HKJC)
At The Races tipster Tim Carroll had three winners at Sha Tin on Saturday and now previews Thursday’s card at the same track, including three best bets and it kicks off at 06H30 SA Time.
This Thursday sees a competitive 11-race card from Sha Tin and the feature on the meeting is race 6, the Class 2 Year of The Dragon Cup (Handicap), over 1 mile, offering prize-money off more than £310,000.
Now onto this week’s selections:
Today's Question
Who was known as “The Emperor Of Stallions”?
The painting is of the subject
FIELDS, Thursday, 19 February
Turffontein Inside
Today’s Question Answer
Stockwell (1849–1870) was a British Thoroughbred racehorse and a Leading sire in Great Britain & Ireland seven times; he was second on the sires’ list a further four times during a 14-year period.
