Marx-Jacobson Roars Into Apprentice Title Contention
Blaine Marx-Jacobson was caught wide on Carnelo in the last race at Turffontein Inside today, but that didn’t stop him cruising in by 2,90 lengths, meaning he had ridden the second Jackpot (JC Photos)
Blaine Marx-Jacobson has put himself in contention for the South African Apprentice title with some outstanding riding over the last couple of months culminating in four successive wins at Turffontein Inside today meaning he had ridden the second Jackpot.
Marx-Jacobson had been praised by many for his excellent seat when romping home by four lengths on his race-riding debut on October 17, 2024, on the Fanie Bronkhorst-trained Coming In Hot over 1200m at the Vaal.
However, by the end of the 2024/2025 season he had added just one more win in 63 more rides, so was going along at a strike rate of 3.12%.
It was also clear this season he was battling to find his feet.
At the beginning of February Marx-Jacobson had ridden just three winners for the season from 97 rides for a strike rate of a paltry 3.09%.
However, a slow start to his jockeyship career puts him in good company, including with two of South Africa’s greatest, Jeff Lloyd and Piere Strydom.
Lloyd had only 22 rides in his first six months of race-riding and accumulated six places without a win.
Strydom took 56 rides to have his first winner.
However, when it clicked with those two greats they went into overdrive and both became South African Champion Apprentices, before their glittering careers as fully fledged jockeys began.
Marx Jacobson has also suddenly clicked and from the beginning of February to now has had 70 rides for 16 wins and a strike rate of 22.86%.
Those 16 wins have included five doubles and today’s four-timer.
It is Marx-Jacobson’s uncomplicated style and outstanding balance that has been eyecatching from a style point of view.
He is very still in the saddle and has a straight back while driving with the arms, a style reminiscent of Piere Strydom himself.
The legendary Strydom, commenting on the similarity in style, agreed that he seemed to be trying to copy his style and added, “It takes time, but he is on the right path.”
Marc-Jacobson was claiming 4kg today, so there is still a long road ahead.
However, one other reason he looks to have a bright future is because he has good tactical awareness.
In the last race he was caught wide, but didn’t panic and managed to keep his mount, the seven-year-old Shaylen Naidoo-trained Greys Inn gelding Carnelo nice and relaxed.
The gelding duly found extra down the outside to run out a comfortable 2,90 length winner at 7/2 odds and that saw Marx-Jacobson clinching his four-timer.
His others winners were on the Corrie Lensley-trained Erupt gelding Paul Revere, who was backed in from 4/1 to 9/4, the Lensley-trained Erupt gelding Kambati, who returned odds of 7/1 and the Grant Maroun-trained Futura gelding Unsolved Riddle who returned odds of 2/1.
Marx-Jacobson is now on 19 wins for the season at a strike rate of 11.66% and he is suddenly just eight wins off the pace in the national apprentice championship .
Mxolisi Mbuto leads with 27 wins at a strike rate of 9.71%.
Marx-Jacobson thanked many people at the end of today’s racing, but reserved special praise for his Highveld Riding Master, Robert Moore, who is clearly an inspirational leader as he receives accolades from the apprentices under his guidance on a regular basis.
"Country Allure" Is Revealed As The July Theme
These attendees of the Hollywoodbets Durban July Theme Reveal will have their thinking caps on over the next few days, although the “Country Allure” theme should provide fashionistas with plenty of scope for interpretation (Picture: Anneke Akal-Kitching)
The R10 million Hollywoodbets Gr1 Durban July will be run at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday 4 July. The big race fashion theme was unveiled earlier today in Durban.
“Anybody can be good in the country,” a celebrated wag once wrote, “there are no temptations there.”
Well, Hollywoodbets hosts and title sponsors of the Durban July would beg to differ. They have revealed “Country Allure” as the theme for this year’s edition of Africa’s greatest horse racing event.
It’s an invitation to designers, fashionistas and racegoers to draw inspiration from our country’s dramatic, rural landscapes and the elegance of our equestrian culture. It’s an opportunity to give imaginations free rein as guests learned at the launch event, at Hollywoodbets Greyville on 19 March 2026.
Beyond the fashion, the Hollywoodbets Durban July represents a red-letter day on Mzansi’s sporting calendar as well as a tremendous boost for KwaZulu-Natal’s economy. It tempts racing aficionados and fun lovers by the thousands to Hollywoodbets Greyville to revel in the heritage and excitement of thoroughbred racing.
Stephen Marshall, Head: Major Events, Marketing and Broadcast at Race Coast, says the Hollywoodbets Durban July has long been a magnet for all who share a passion for horse racing and the glamour that surrounds it. “This year’s theme, ‘Country Allure’, pays homage to the elegance and authenticity at the heart of the sport’s heritage. It reflects the beauty of the landscapes where thoroughbreds are bred and trained, while inspiring people’s creativity and celebrating what’s beautiful about the countryside,” says Marshall.
Hollywoodbets brand and communications manager, Devin Heffer, rightly calls the Hollywoodbets Durban July: “The most anticipated highlight on South Africa’s sporting and lifestyle calendar.”
“It’s by equal measure the country’s biggest horse race and an unforgettable social occasion,” says Heffer.
“This year offers a nod to the timeless relationship between horse racing and the countryside. The racing spectacle promises another exceptional celebration of sport, fashion and entertainment. We look forward to welcoming guests from across the country and the world for what is sure to be an unforgettable day at the races,” says Heffer.
Last year’s Hollywoodbets Durban July welcomed 40,192 attendees. They were treated to a thriller as the 14/1 shot, The Real Prince, ridden by Craig Zackey and trained by Dean Kannemeyer, beat favourite Eight On Eighteen by a neck.
A proud Dean Kannemeyer welcomes Hollywoodbets Gr1 Durban July 2025 winner The Real Prince (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
The big turnout served as a strong indicator of the resurgent appeal of the Hollywoodbets Durban July.
An assessment of the 2025 race confirmed it created about 4 500 jobs across a host of sectors, contributing an estimated R840-million to the city’s GDP. Consider too, the R50-million it generated in national and provincial tax revenue and the hotel occupancy rates of 80% achieved in Durban during race week.
If anything, the numbers look set to be even better come Saturday, 4 July 2026 when all eyes turn to Hollywoodbets Greyville.
Alluring?
“Goodness, yes. By a country mile,” says Marshall.
Where Does The Value Lie In July Ante-Post Market
Star Major looks to be a progressive sort with a lot of class and scope for further improvement, so he will be worth following in the Champions Season, although his Hollywoodbets Durban July ante-post price does not look to be great value at present (Picture: Wayne Marks)
First entries for the 2026 Grade 1 Hollywoodbets Durban July close at 11:00 on Monday, 20 April and will be released on Wednesday, 22 April.
Looking at Hollywoodbets ante-post betting there are two horses who could be fair value, Viva’s Liberte at 40/1 (no place price at present) and On My Honour at 75/1 (12/1 for the first four).
Star Major makes appeal too, but 25/1 (4/1 for the first four) seems a bit skinny at this stage.
Viva’s Liberte had an interrupted preparation into the Gr 1 Lucky Fish Cape Derby, so did well to finish a three length third, especially considering he might have gone a bit too fast in the early stages.
Star Major caught the eye with a late rattle in the Cape Derby. The eye-catching aspect of his sectionals is that his final 200m was his fastest sectional and was recorded as 92% by Raceform (i.e. the time of 11.66 seconds was 92 % of the average). It is unusual for a horse to speeding up at the end of a race, they are usually slowing down and those who appear to be speeding up are usually just slowing down at a lesser rate than the others.
On My Honour was progressive last season and was all set to show his true colours in the Hollywoodbets Durban July, but the race just did not pan out well for him This season it has not gone well for him either as he was brought down in the Betway Summer Cup. The feeling is this good looking horse has never yet been seen at his best and if all goes well into the July and he gets a good draw he could finally show everybody what he is made of.
Handicappers' Merit Rating Update Reports Have Been Scrapped, Sadly
Handicapping is specifically in the spotlight this season due to the initiative of a longer handicap in the Hollywoodbets Durban July, which has a R10 million stake and it is somewhat disappointing that the public will not be able to follow the handicapping processes which culminate in the setting of the big race’s weights. (Picture: Candiese Lenferna)
Mike Moon of The Citizen has questioned the decision by the NHA to discontinue the MR Handicapping Update Press Releases, which were helpful to those who appreciated the professional perspective.
Mike Noon (The Citizen)
The palace coup in the halls of the National Horseracing Authority a few months ago was not a big issue among the betting public and rank-and file racing fans – other than it sounded like a “good thing” that an over-bossy and unpopular regime had been ousted by a Concerned Stakeholders group that promised to ensure better administration of the game.
The big changeover was accompanied by talk about “integrity, fairness, understanding, transparency, compassion and representivity”. Lovely.
So, imagine the dismay of punters when they learnt this week that the interesting and useful NHA handicappers’ weekly reports on merit rating calculations were being discontinued – by “executive decision”. No further comment.
‘Brain game’
Breaking this news, Sporting Post said: “The weekly article has created both engagement and criticism and it is very disappointing to hear that in an age of a striving for transparency and information, and efforts to sell horseracing as ‘the brain game’, that it has been scrapped.”
The SP explained that the handicappers’ report was introduced by then newly appointed NHA CEO Vee Moodley in 2019 as an “explanatory/educational tool for stakeholders, outlining selection of line-horses and rationale behind decisions made by the handicappers”.
The MR analysis certainly made for cerebral engagement and many a talking point in the racing world.
Without wanting to get into the boring old argument about which group of people are the most important in racing, it’s worth noting that the betting public was not represented among the Concerned Stakeholders who defenestrated the NHA’s mahogany row a few months ago. Those stakeholders were owners, trainers, jockeys, breeders and the country’s two racing operators.
Transparency?
One of those stakeholder representatives referred to the NHA old guard as “… allegedly incompetent, vindictive and negligent … and with zero … accountability”.
But the new NHA executive, having got rid of all the nastiness, appears to have lapsed into the sort of opaque officiousness it railed against.
Could last week’s unusual handicappers’ MR report, sharply criticising owners’ and trainers’ successful appeals against their Gauteng Guineas MR adjudications, have ruffled feathers? Is there a feeling that disagreements on racing matters should be hushed up? What about transparency?
Public dissemination of information about handicapping isn’t an international norm, but it was a uniquely South African feature admired by some foreign racing people.
Hopefully, the NHA top brass will reconsider and come to a different “executive decision”.
Autumn Glow Faces Tough Test On Saturday At Rosehill
The unbeaten Australian sensation Autumn Glow is the daughter of the SA-bred Equus Champion Sprinter Via Africa and she will be out to make it eleven from eleven on Saturday but won’t have it easy in the Gr 1 George Ryder Stakes over 1500m from draw seven, especially considering her three-time Gr 1-winning stablemate Lady Shenandoah is drawn in pole position (Picture: Magic Millions).
Will James McDonald smash the record books and set a new mark for most Group 1 wins?
Will Autumn Glow remain unbeaten and cement her place as the country’s best horse?
Which horse will etch their name into history as the winner of the Golden Slipper?
Who will win the Rosehill Guineas?
Will Aeliana prove herself the best horse in the country from 2000m to 2400m in the Ranvet Stakes?
All great questions heading into Saturday at Rosehill Gardens Racecourse.
A comprehensive analysis of the day is provided by Racenet Tipster Richard Callandar and stand by for some surprises, including his reasons for going against Autumn Glow.
Click for comprehensive analysis of one of Australia’s most important race days
Anotherdanceforme Can Clinch Guineas Double
Anotherdanceforme easily won the Listed Breeders Guineas at Fairview last time and she will now be hard to beat in the Listed E-Cape Guineas (Pauline Herman Photography)
R1 Preview: OLAF THE STOUT (5) made a pleasing start to his career and with natural progression should take a power of beating. INTO RED SPACE (3) could run well on debut and it is best to watch the market trends as race time looms. CHIM CHIM CHEREE (7) could get into the action on debut and APPLEAS AND TEA (1) can improve to place. (Warren Lenferna 5-3-7-1)
R2 Preview: MALIBU ICE (1) is by Malmoos and meets a small field on debut. She could be way better than this field and is selected to make a winning debut. ODSIDIAN STAR (2) caught the attention when second first time out and with natural improvement and experience gained, can win. SABOTEUR (5) has a place chance if reproducing and building on her debut fourth. PRINCESS OF AJIAAL (3) has a quartet chance. (Warren Lenferna 1-2-5-3)
R3 Preview: HOMING PIGEON (1) is ultra-consistent and has raced in some competitive Cape Town fields. She should be too strong for the opposition and should be hard to beat. ONE SUMMER (2) has run well in her last two starts and has each way claims. MISSOURI FLAME (3) and OH MANDY (4) has massive place chances and must be included in all bets. (Warren Lenferna 1-2-3-4)
R4 Preview: SONG TO THE MOON (5) brings solid Cape Town form into the race and has been close to talented and improving Tenpenny recently – sparkling win chance and a possible banker! GLOBAL ALLY (1) goes well for Fourie and has claims. HEEMSTEDE (6) bounced back to better form last time and is one for the shortlist. DRIELANDENPUNT (8) is a must for the quartet – he can improve here but they might all have to go some to peg back Song To The Moon. (Warren Lenferna 5-1-6-8)
R5 Preview: LA LANDONNE (11) finished a close up fourth behind Gin Palace on the 4th of February at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth and has fair overall form. She has a strong winning chance. LADY BOMBER (3) is in hot winning form and can continue that streak – draw 1 will assist – big runner. VOLARE E MAMBO (9) has strong each way claims and is a must for the trifecta and FAMILY POWER (2) can earn again. (Warren Lenferna 11-3-9-2)
R6 Preview: FAIRY KNIGHT’S (1) form is there for all to see. He is good, he is a thirteen-time winner. No need to say more! Hard to oppose. CRUISE CONTROL (2) is showing signs of winning again soon and is a massive chance here. ROMAN AGENT (6) and ANUSCHKA’S WORLD (3) are ones to be included in on the shortlist. (Warren Lenferna 1-2-6-3)
R7 Preview: ANOTHERDANCEFORME (4) has won seven from eight races and thrashed them last time. She is a suggested banker! IN A TIMELY MANNER (1) won well in Cape Town last time and is the first choices immediate danger. AUGUSTA ROSSO (6) is taking time to win again but has acquitted herself with aplomb against some very decent horses – strong place chance and a win looks on the cards one of these days. SILVA CITY (5) has a chance. (Warren Lenferna 4-1-6-5)
R8 Preview: Trainer Justin Snaith has brought some decent horses to Fairview and MENTE ET MANU (2) is one of them. He is holding form, went very close last time and knows how to win. Talking of winning, PORFIRIO (3) knows all abut it too. He has won four out of his last five starts which takes some doing. Big danger. LAGUNA VERDE (4) can do better than last time and NEW MEXICO (5) has a massive place chance. (Warren Lenferna 2-3-4-5)
Dubai World Cup Meeting's Likely Fields Are Out
Forever Young winning this year’s Saudi Cup (Mathea Kelley/Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia)
Multiple Group 1 winners Forever Young and Calandagan are among the likely runners for the 30th Dubai World Cup meeting, at Meydan on Saturday 28 March.
A field of nine has been announced for the $12million Gr1 Dubai World Cup [sponsored by Emirates Airline], including 2025 winner Hit Show, aiming to become just the second horse to win the race twice, and Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Forever Young.
Gr2 winner Magnitude has also arrived from the US, while the UAE challenge is headed by Gr1 winners Walk Of Stars and Imperial Emperor.
Calandagan, who’s brilliant 2025 culminated in victory in the Gr1 Japan Cup, heads a possible seven runners in the G1 Longines Dubai Sheema Classic.
His opposition includes nine-time Gr1 winner Rebel’s Romance, as well as Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Turf hero Ethical Diamond.
The Gr1 Dubai Turf [sponsored by DP World] has also attracted a strong field, including multiple G1 winner Ombudsman, Gr1 Queen Anne Stakes winner Docklands and Facteur Cheval, successful in this race in 2024.
The two sprints on the card also have international casts, with Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Sprint winner Bentornato facing 2024 winner Tuz in the Gr1 Dubai Golden Shaheen [sponsored by Nakheel] and top-level scorers Lazzat and Khaadem in the G1 Al Quoz Sprint [sponsored by Azizi Developments].
“We are delighted to see horses from so many different countries here for this landmark 30th Dubai World Cup meeting,” said Erwan Charpy, Head of Department, Racing Operations & International Relations, for Dubai Racing Club.
“To have so many defending and former champions, including Hit Show. Rebel’s Romance, Tuz, Forever Young and Dark Saffron back here is also very pleasing. We thank everyone for their support and wish them the best of luck on the big day.”
The Dubai World Cup card comprises nine races and gets underway at 3:45pm UAE.
The full list of likely fields can be found by clicking here.
Today's Question
Which horse in American history won the most races?
The picture is of the subject (wikipedia)
FIELDS, Friday, 20 March
Fairview Turf
Today’s Question Answer
Pan Zareta (born 1910) was an American Thoroughbred racehorse who won 76 races and was known as the “Queen of the Turf.”. She raced in eight different states of America as well as Mexico and Canada. While she never won a significant race, and only once beat a top-level horse in (Old Rosebud), she was still highly regarded as the Queen of the Turf.
