First Entries Precede The Millennium's Most Intriguing July
Last year’s Hollywoodbets Durban July one-two The Real Prince and Eight On Eighteen are likely to be among the first entries announced on Wednesday at 12H00 (Candiese Lenferna Photography)
The first entries for the Hollywoodbets Durban July are in and will be announced live on Gallop TV at 12H00 on Wednesday.
There is likely to have been a big entry with the R10 million stake and the new conditions which make it a true handicap with a 10kg spread in the weights.
The highest merit rated horse still standing his or her ground at the time of the setting of the weights on June 15 will be allotted a weight of 62kg and the bottom weight will be 52kg.
The weights will certainly be calculated according to the merit ratings of the horses, despite there being a clause which states: Weights shall be framed by the Handicapper in his sole discretion and without necessarily having regard for horses’ merit ratings.
That clause has been there for many years, but has never been excercised.
The difference between this year’s conditions and last year’s is that:
there is a 10kg spread as opposed to a 8kg spread;
there are no maximum or minimum weights for three-year-old males, for three-year-old females and for older females, and there are no minimum weights for older males;
Rather it is just a straight handicap with the normal weight for age allowances, which in the case of a 2200m race taking place in the month of July is a 2kg weight for age allowance for the three-year-olds.
However, a horse can not carry less than 52kg, so some horses will be under sufferance.
If the original top weight is scratched at declaration stage, then the horse who is then the topweight will be dragged up to 62kg and the rest of the field will be dragged up proportionately.
In such a case the horses who were under sufferance on 52kg will be dragged up together with the other bottom weights i.e. there will be no recalculation of the weights.
This can lead to controversy.
For example in 2023 the horse who many doubted would stay, the 127-rated Trip Of Fortune, was topweight at the time of the setting of the weights.
Many were of the belief that he was just being kept in to make it tougher for the bottom weights as well as for the top three-year-olds.
With him being the top weight off a 127 merit rating it put more horses under sufferance at the bottom of the weights than it would have had the top weights been the 123-rated pair Puerto Manzano and Safe Passage.
Had Trip Of Fortune got scratched after the setting of the weights, then those that would not have been under sufferance without him present at weights setting time, would have been dragged up with the other bottom weights and remained under sufferance.
Furthermore, the top rated three-year-old See It Again would have had to carry 58,5kg after the scratching instead of 56,5. He would have still had the same task from a relative point of view, but a three-year-old carrying a higher weight whilst being as well in on paper, would likely make it tougher.
However, the ruse was just a rumour, because Trip Of Fortune did line up on the day. His presence at the time of the setting of the weights only gave the eventual winner, the bottom weighted Winchester Mansion, a half-a-kilogram harder task with the topweights, but it also gave him an easier task with some of his fellow bottom weights as he would have otherwise had to give some of them weight.
If such an opportunity arises this year to manipulate the relative weights, no quarter is likely to be given with R10 million up for grabs.
The jostling to protect horses’ merit ratings, as well as the debates on merit rating changes made to horses after the pointer races, are likely to be more fierce than ever before.
There could also be another merit rating appeal or two.
Whatever happens in the build up this year it is likely to be more intriguing than ever, because of course there is also the scenario whereby those who go too overboard in protecting their horses’ merit ratings might end up not being included in the final field.
With a R10 million stake and the longest handicap for many a year, there are likely to be more horses than ever standing their ground at final declaration stage and the task facing the final field panelists is likely to be a nightmare!
Gaynor Rupert's Star Filly Has An Arc Pedigree
I’M THE ONE (William Buick) wins The Dreweatts Maiden Fillies Stakes Newbury 17 Apr 2026 by six lengths in effortless fashion – Pic Steven Cargill / Racingfotos.com
John Gosden has apparently been surprised by the comparisons of Gaynor Rupert’s homebred filly I’m The One to Enable, considering she is just starting out whilst Enable was a twice Arc winner, a three -time King George and Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner, an Epsom Oaks winner, A Coral Eclipse winner, a Breeders Cup Turf winner and had three other Gr 1 wins.
However, I’m The One possibly has an even better Arc pedigree than Enable had.
Galileo has had a great influence on the Arc and Enable is by his son Nathaniel.
However, I’m The One’s sire Sea The Stars is not only an Arc winner himself but he is a half-brother to Galileo and Sea The Stars also sired the 2025 Arc winner Daryz.
Galileo and Sea The Stars’ dam is the legendary Urban Sea, who was also an Arc winner.
Urban Sea has German blood in her and has two copies of a 1930-born German sire called Alchimist, who was a German Derby winner.
Considering Urban Sea’s win in the Arc plus her influence on the race via Galileo and Sea The Stars, Alchimist will appear in the pedigrees of many Arc winners.
However, where it gets interesting is that in the last sixty years there have only been four instances in which neither a French-bred, Irish-bred nor British-bred won the Arc and in three of those instances a German-bred won it.
In all cases of the German-breds winning it their pedigrees have had copies of Alchimist that do not come via Urban Sea
The Alchimist also appears sometimes in the pedigrees of Non-German-breds from sources other than Urban Sea, an example being 2023 winner Ace Impact, who had copies of Alchimist via his Galileo line sire Cracksman, but also copies in his damsire Anabaa Blue’s line.
The exciting point about I’m The One from this point of view is that she is not only by Sea The Stars, as mentioned, but also has a bottom line female by Alchimist.
Furthermore I’m The One is out of a Camelot mare and Camelot is not only by Arc winner Montjeu but he himself is the sire of 2024 Arc winner Bluestocking.
The article below explains the influence of Alchimist on the Arc and on thoroughbred breeding in general:
Where Do Silvano And Vercingetorix Get Their Prepotency From?
Picture: The German-bred 1933 German Derby winner Alchimist could well have had a major influence on the thoroughbred breed, although he is not given much credit
German thoroughbred breeding has been massively influential in Europe, while South Africa has now had two champion sires that originate from German bloodlines, the German-bred Silvano and his phenomenal record-setting son Vercingetorix.
Silvano and Vercingetorix were and are respectively based at German breeder Andreas Jacob’s Maine Chance Farms, who also stand the German-bred Querari and did stand the German-bred Quasillo.
When researching where the class of German bloodlines originates from a certain stallion keeps on cropping up and it is amazing this horse, a German Derby winner called Alchimist, is no more than a footnote in thoroughbred history.
The Prix de l’Arc de Triompe is generally regarded as the pinnacle turf flat race in the world and it will be a rare occasion that Alchimist does not appear in the pedigree of the winner, the reason being he appears twice in the pedigree of Urban Sea, who is dam of Galileo, the most successful sire in throughbred history.
Galileo is the only sire in history to sire over 100 Gr 1 winners.
Urban Sea is one of the greatest broodmares in thoroughbred history as she also produced Sea The Stars, who is regarded as one of the greatest racehorses of all time having won the 2000 Guineas, the Eclipse, the Derby, the Juddmonte International, the Irish Champion Stakes and the Arc in the same year. His progeny have won classic races including the Derby, Irish Derby, and the Oaks and he is in fact the sire of the reigning Arc champion, Daryz.
Urban Sea’s third dam is by Alchimist’s German Derby-winning son Birkahn.
Urban Sea’s damsire is Lombard, whose sire Agio is out of an Alchimist mare.
The 2024 Arc winner Bluestocking was the first Arc winner to have no copies of Alchimist in her pedigree since 2015 winner Golden Horn.
Of course one can take any top stallion in history and find an arbitrary horse in his pedigree and point to him or her appearing in a long list of champions.
However, where it gets interesting with Alchimist is the many Arc winners who have him in their pedigrees without the trace back from Urban Sea.
The 2023 Arc winner Ace Impact, for example, has four copies of Alchimist. He is by Frankel’s son Cracksman, so has the two copies of Alchimist from Urban Sea, but what is fascinating in this case is that Ace Impact’s damsire is inbred 5X4 to Urban Sea’s dam Allegretta, who is by German-bred Lombard out of German-bred Anatevka. Allegretta is inbred 4X4 to Alchimist.
Where it gets really interesting with Alchimist is that he appears no fewer than five times in the pedigree of the 2021 Arc winner, the German-bred Torquator Tasso, and that horse does not have Urban Sea in his pedigree.
Interestingly, Almyra, the third dam of Urban Sea, is a bottom line female on the pedigree of both Torquator Tasso’s sire Alderflug and his dam Tijuana (Toylsome). Almyra is by Alchimist’s son Birkahn.
Alchimist also appears five times in the pedigree of the 2019 Arc winner Waldgeist, who is by Galileo and from a German female line.
Alchimist is the granddam sire of Germany’s first Arc winner in 1975, Star Appeal, and appears in the pedigree of the 2011 German-bred Arc winner Danedream.
The German-bred Silvano’s sire Lomitas was by the Nijinsky sire Nininski and was out of a dam by Surumu, who was a six-times champion sire and twice Champion Broodmare sire. Surumu was bred by the Jacobs family’s Germany-based stud Gestüt Fährhof and is a son of Literat, who is a son of Alchmist’s son Birkahn.
Querari is a regular top six stallion in South Africa and his dam also hails from the Surumu-Alchimist sire line.
Quasillo had three copies of Alchimist as his sire was Sea The Stars and he is a half-brother to Querari.
Their dam was by the Gestüt Fährhof-bred champion Acatenango, who won seven Gr 1s and whose progeny include Lando, who was ridden to Japan Cup glory by South Africa’s Michael “Muis” Roberts. Acatenango is a son of Surumu’s.
The Jacobs family-bred Surumu appears twice in the pedigree of 2019 Arc winner Waldgeist and Acatenango is sire of his third dam.
2011 Arc winner Danedream is a paternal half-brother to Silvano, being by Lomitas.
Silvano is not only a six-times Champion sire, but also the most successful Hollywoodbets Durban July sire in history, as is well documented.
Vercingetorix is the current champion sire and smashed numerous records to get there, his progeny accumulating the most stakes ever in a season and he produced the most stakes winners ever in a season, not to mention his Sales prices obliterating previous records.
Alchimist must have had some influence on their strong bloodlines.
And yet he is just a footnote in history.
In the Graham Sharpe book “Classic Horseracing Quotes” the following insert appears:
German Derby winner Alchimist became an unusual casualty of World War II. The grooms at Gradiz, where the highly valued stallion was at stud, fled the advancing Russian troops who relieved their starvation by tucking into what must be one of the most expensive meals ever consumed.
Other accounts put it a bit differently and states the Gradiz staff took the stallion with them when fleeing, but were not allowed by the Americans to cross the border. The Russians, who were aware of the value of thoroughbred stallions, only killed the horse as a last resort after he refused to load on to their truck.
Alchimist has nevertheless been a major influence despite his untimely demise as a fifteen-year-old, but he gets scant recognition.
Blaine Marx-Jacobson, The Comeback Kid
Blaine Marx-Jacobson wins the 7th on the Tony Peter-trained Komati River at the Vaal today and consequently moves into the lead in the Apprentice Championship (JC Photos)
If there had been betting on the Apprentice Championship Blaine Marx-Jacobson would likely have been a 100/1 shot at the beginning of February as he had mustered a paltry three wins from 97 rides this season by that stage and was going along at a strike rate of at 3.09%.
The two leaders at that stage were Mxolisi Mbutho and Girish Samo-Burthia, who were both on 21 wins at respective strike rates of 9.68% and 12.73%.
Yet just seven weeks later Marx-Jacobson has taken the lead on 28 wins in the season at a strike rate of 12.79% with Mbuto on 27 wins at 8.41%.
Damyan Pillay also looks to be improving and is on 23 wins at 10.95%.
Samo Burthia is on 22 wins at 11.06%.
Dezahn Louw and Bavish Soodoo are still in contention on 21 wins apiece at 8.50% and 12.21% respectively.
However, Marx-Jacobson is the man with the momentum.
From February 1 until today he has had 25 wins at a strike rate of 20.49%.
In best in any profession are usually those who take to it like a duck to water, but there is the other type who through a combination of hard work and perseverance just one day have it all “click” into place.
Both types likely have the natural ability, it just takes the latter type a touch longer to find their feet.
In fact Marx-Jacobson won on his debut ride and was at the time widely praised for his great natural seat and he was identified as one who looked to have the potential to become a top jockey.
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 looks to be following in their footsteps at present and in fact looks to have probably copied Piere Strydom’s style i.e. he is very still in the saddle and has a straight back while driving with the arms.
The style is coupled with his fine natural balance, which was one of Striker’s key assets.
Marx-Jacobson will probably find it easier to keep his current momentum going than he had before, because he has attracted such attention that he is getting a lot of rides per meeting and is landing good rides too.
Will Renegade Be The Kentucky Derby Favourite?
Renegade pulls away down the stretch under Irad Ortiz Jr. to win the Arkansas Derby by four lengths (EquiSport Photos)
Churchill Downs morning line oddsmaker Nick Tammaro sees a competitive race with three major contenders
Apr 16, 2026 1:42 PM EDT
By Kevin Kerstein/Churchill Downs Inc (Paulick Report)
Renegade is expected to be the morning-line favorite for Kentucky Derby 152, but Churchill Downs morning line oddsmaker Nick Tammaro sees a wide-open race with Commandment and Further Ado forming a tightly grouped trio at the top.
“It would be foolish to ignore what’s happening in the market and the public reaction after the Arkansas Derby,” said Tammaro, who will set the Kentucky Derby morning line for the first time following the retirement of Mike Battaglia after 51 years at Churchill Downs. “Renegade has to be the favorite right now, but this isn’t a race where anyone is going to be odds-on or even close.”
Royal Mermaid Can Follow Up
Royal Mermaid has improved with blinkers and can follow up on her win last time out (Picture: Pauline Herman)
Fairview Poly Wednesday Formguides And Selections
R1 (4) POWEROFPEACE ran well on debut and will go very close to winning with Craig Zackey aboard. (3) RULES OF CONDUCT made good progress in his second start and will be a huge contender. (1) FLYING SKITT is likely to improve after 2 runs and can go into the trifecta. (5) PRINCESS OF AJIAAL is capable of running into the quartets.
R2 (8) FONTE is making progress with every start and can get much closer, needs respect. (1) PERFECT IMPACT is holding form and will get much closer, needs respect. (7) TIMELINE is a horse that is capable of popping up here so include in larger perms. (4) FANTINE is a horse that can improve and run into the quartet. (6) SALOON GIRL represents Cape form and is another to keep a close eye on.
R3 (7) WITHOUT HESITATION is holding form and will be a serious contender here, massive chance. (3) XTINES PRINCESS is capable of making huge improvement here and can get into the actions, she represents strong Cape form and will be a challenger. (1) GALACTIC BEAUTY is capable of improving and getting into the money with Kyle Strydom aboard. (8) THE SCARLET CAT is capable of getting much closer.
R4 (4) GLOBAL ALLY ran extremely well in the last start and will be a strong contender. (1) BOURNEMOUTH is classy and ran a decent enough race so needs to be respected. (2) FIREALLEY is capable of getting into the mix and should be right there. (6) MAKHACHEV wasn’t beaten far in the last start and can go into the quartets.
R5 (3) LANA VIEW ran extremely well in her last start and has shown she is capable of a big finish on her day, she needs to be respected. (2) TERMINAL VELOCITY ran well after exiting the maiden and should run another decent race. (1) LEBOMBO GOLD has scope to go well, she gets a decent enough draw and should be in the mix. (9) PRESERVE FOREVER hasn’t been far and can get into the quartets.
R6 (3) ROYAL MERMAID is holding solid form and will be a massive contender here, she goes well on the poly and could be hard to beat. (2) OCEAN FLAME placed at huge odds in her last start and if repeating that performance she will be a challenger. (5) ROCKIE BLUE wasn’t beaten far in her last start and is capable of getting much closer. (7) ENDEARED gets the claimer up and could be a decent place inclusion here.
R7 (2) ICED MARMALADE was an impressive maiden winner and has plenty of scope to go well here, she needs to be respected. (1) AADEHYA can get closer on best form, he is speedy and will be in the mix. (3) WORLD PHAROAH is capable of much better and can get closer on best form. (5) TRAVEL MASTER is capable on his day and can pop up.
R8 (7) GENOVEFA ran a cracker in the last start and is holding solid form hence she is the firm first selection. (4) WHIRLYBIRD hasn’t been far in recent starts and should get closer. (1) BACK FOR MORE gets a decent draw this time and is capable of running a big race, include in everything. (9) DANCING IN WINTER is a very honest type, although she has a tough draw she can get into the mix on best form.
Most Of The Season's Championships Are Sewn Up Already
The season is just three months away from ending and Charl Pretorius takes a look at the various peoples’ championships within South African horseracing and reckons only one of them, the Apprentice Championship, is still alive.
Craig Zackey, Justin Snaith, Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein and Hollywood Racing look hard to stop in the Jockeys, Trainers, Breeders and Owners Championships respectively.
Speedy Smartie Can Do It For Crawford And Teetan
Speedy Smartie can give Brett Crawford his 20th win of the season and Karis Teetan his 30th (Picture: HKJC)
At The Races tipster Tim Carroll’s NB selection won at 3/1 on Sunday, and he now has three more best bets for Wednesday’s card at Happy Valley which kicks off at 12H40 SA Time.
This Wednesday sees a competitive nine-race meeting from Happy Valley and there are three Class 3 handicaps on the card with the feature being race 8, the Oncidium Handicap over 9f, offering prize-money of more than £200,000.
Now onto this week’s selections…
Click here for a comprehensive guide to the meeting
Today's Question
How many Arc winners has Galileo sired?
The picture gives a clue to the answer
Wednesday, 22 April, FIELDS
Fairview Poly
Today’s Question Answer
- Found (2016): Led a Galileo 1-2-3 finish in the Arc, ahead of Highland Reel and Order of St George.
- Waldgeist (2019): Denied Enable a third win in his final victory before retiring.
- As Sire: Found and Waldgeist.
- As Sire of Sires: His son Nathaniel sired Enable, and his son Frankel sired Alpinista.
- As Broodmare Sire: Galileo is the damsire of 2020 Arc winner Sottsass.
- Dam Legacy: Galileo is out of the 1993 Arc winner Urban Sea.
