Turf Talk Newsletter – 21 July, 2026

Master Redoute is led in after winning the Gold Cup in 2024 (Candiese Lenferna Photography)

The seven-year-old Querari gelding Master Redoute will be out to defy 59 years of history by regaining the Gr 3 World Pool Gold Cup over 3200m on Sunday at Hollywoodbets Greyville and trainer Andre Nel spoke about him as well as his other two runners on the day, O’Tenikwa and Zeitz, at Summerveld on Tuesday morning.

Nel agreed that Master Redoute, who won the race in 2024 off a 115 merit rating and runs off exactly the same mark this year, had enjoyed a good preparation and added, “He obviously stays very well. The hotter the pace the better for him. He’s an older horse now so is a bit out at the weights. He is having his last run. I am pretty sure he will be retired after this race.”

He added, “He is drawn wide, so he will be coming from off the pace. But that is fine, he is a horse who needs to be produced quite late anyway.”

Regarded as the country’s premier staying race, the Gold Cup had it’s inaugural running in 1920 and only two horses have regained the crown,  Humidor winning in 1933 at odds of 10/1 before being well beaten in 1934 at 25/1 odds and then winning at odds of  6/1 in 1935, while in 1965 Cuff Link won at odds of 12/1 before finishing 6th at the same odds in 1966 and then winning it at odds of 9/1 in 1967.

Master Redoute came from midfield in 2024 in a stretched out field behind the good pace he relishes. He ran on resolutely in the straight to get up late by a neck from Shoot The Rapids, who was just a three-year-old at the time.

He is 5kg better off with Shoot The Rapids this year, although if weight for age improvement is considered he is effectively only 1,5kg better off as three-year-olds get a 3,5kg allowance over 3200m in July.

Master Redoute had a six month layoff after his Gold Cup win and went straight into the Gr 1 WSB Met, where he ran a fine 2,65 length ninth.

However, he then had a nine month layoff before his next run.

It then took him three runs to find his feet again and he then stayed on well to be a 4,05 length fourth to Ahead Of The Facts in the Gr 3 New Turf Carriers Western Cape Stayers over 2800m at odds of 33/1.

He followed that with a run over the too sharp 1900m trip in the Gr 3 WSB 1900 and he then ran a 2,60 length fourth in the Gr 3 Lucky Fish Winter Stakes over 2400m at Hollywoodbets Greyville before running an excellent half-a-length second in the Gr 3 Durban Gold Vase over 3000m to Ahead Of The Facts.

He will be 1,5kg better off with Ahead Of The Facts in the Gold Cup, so should beat him on paper. However, the latter was being eased at the line and is a progressive sort who should have come on from that run.

Master Redoute beat Shoot The Rapids in the Gold Vase by 0,80 lengths and he will be half-a-kilogram better off with him in the Gold Cup.

The question is whether he will get the good pace he needs?

There is not an obvious pacemaker in the race and it looks unlikely to be as fast as it was two years ago.

However, over 3200m there is an argument that stamina will come through in the end no matter the pace.

Master Redoute is a Sabine Plattner homebred and so is the yard’s other Gr 1 runner on the day, O’Tenikwa.

This four-year-old Vercingetorix gelding is known for his good gatespeed and early pace and with his big action and typical Vercingetorix courage he is sometimes able to free wheel out in front and find another kick at the end. This is what happened when he finished a 2,50 length second to the stalwart Quetioning in the Gr 2 Khaya Stables Diadem Stakes over the tough 1200m of the Hollywoodbets Keilworth sprint course in late February.

Nel said, “I think he is doing well, I have been impressed since being here at Summerveld. He is a horse who thrives on prep runs and he has had two good prep runs. The draw is important for him and 1200m is his best  distance, so I think he has got a lot going for him and I think he will go well.”

Nel admitted that his excellent gatespeed is actually a bit problematic as it never allows him to switch off behind cover. However, from a plum draw of three around the bend this long-striding galloper is going to be dangerous.

The yard run the Vercingetorix gelding Zeitz in the Listed Tote Stakes over 1600m. This Maine Chance Farms-bred Plattner-owned grey won his only previous start over this course and distance on July day last year with blinkers on and jumping from draw four.

Nel said he believed Zeitz had run a good race in the Hollywoodbets Durban July considering his tricky draw of 12 and the slow pace. He reckoned he probably didn’t quite stay the 2200m and felt the 1600m trip would a better distance for him. The blinkers are back on. He said he had come out of the race well, but admitted it was not ideal dropping straight from a 2200m trip to 1600m. His wide draw of 13 also makes it tough.

Holding Thumbs displayed immense courage when giving Ahead Of The Facts 11kg and a short-head beating in the Listed WSB Club Prive Summer Stayers Handicap over 2500m in December (Picture: Wayne Marks)

The five-year-old Vercingetorix gelding Holding Thumbs will be out to go one better than he did last year in the Gr 3 World Pool Gold Cup which is to be run on Sunday at Hollywoodbets Greyville. His trainer Glen Kotzen spoke about him and his other runners on the day at Summerveld on Tuesday morning.

Glen said, “His Champions Season hasn’t been great for us, but I think we have now turned him for the Gold Cup. He ran second last year to King Pelles and it is a pity the latter is back in the race having been supplemented, but I think I have got Holding Thumbs right. He is obviously a better horse in the Cape where he has got a nice galloping track, I don’t think Hollywoodbets Greyville suits him, but we’ve got a plan.”

Holding Thumbs is drawn 13 out of 13 but Kotzen said, “The draw is not a real concern because he can race from wherever.”

Holding Thumbs is known for his courage and this was particularly on display when he gave the current Gold Cup second favourite Ahead Of The Facts 11kg and a shorthead beating in the Listed WSB Club Prive Cape Summer Stayers Handicap over 2500m on December 6 last year.

He followed up by beating another Gold Cup runner Magic Verse by 0,75 lengths at level weights in the Gr 3 Cape Of Good Hope Chairman’s Cup over 2500m on L’Ormarins King’s Plate day and in that race he gave Ahead Of The Facts 10kg and a 2,65 length beating.

However, Ahead Of The Facts was only receiving 2,5kg from Holding Thumbs when beating him into third by 3,75 lengths in his Gr 3 New Turf Carriers Western Cape Stayers victory over 2800m and Ahead Of The Facts beat Holding Thumbs by 3,40 lengths when receiving only 1,5kg in his recent Gr 3 Durban Gold Vase victory over 3000m.

So Ahead Of The Facts has obviously improved and the further for him the better, but Holding Thumbs is now only giving Ahead Of The Facts half-a-kilogram so can get closer on paper.

Holding Thumbs runs off a 117 merit rating compared to 110 last year, so will not have it easy, but Chad Little knows him well and he has a chance.

The yard runs the Danon Platina filly Tudor Rose in the Gr 1 World Pool Moment Of The Day Champion Stakes.

Glen said, “We nominated for the Gr 2 Thekwini but she drew 29 out of 31 and then when she cracked a good draw in the Champion Stakes I had a look at the noms and all the better colts were drawn wide, so it was a no-brainer to go for this race. Also it being a Gr 1 is nice as there are no Gr 1 races for two-year-old fillies in the whole country anymore. She’s got loads of ability. In her last run she was quite green, but she’s coming on. The ability is there but mentally she is just lacking racing experience. However, after her last run I think she has learnt a lot and her work has gone up another level too. I am expecting a huge run from her. She is going to love the mile.”

Tudor Rose is out of the Kilodnan mare Rosier, whom Glen trained to win the Gr 2 Debutante over 1200m on Gold Cup day.

Tudor Rose is a half-sister to a number of multiple winners and she won well on debut before her fine, running on third in the Gr 2 Amusnet Golden Slipper over 1400m.

The yard also run Circumbendibus in the  Listed HKIR in December Umngeni Handicap and Glen said, “He has not got a great draw but he is working extremely well, he’s flying. He can jump well and place himself, but he will have to get lucky from that draw.”

Roskilde had been aimed at the World Pool Moment Of The Day Champion Stakes, but will have to rely on a scratching to get in as he is the first reserve.

Winterbach Stud has been associated with an eye catching number of top-class performers over the years.

This list has grown considerably in recent times, with this season’s exciting two-year-olds Turn It Up, World Attraction and Shezaripper among the classy performers raised by Winterbach. In 2026, Winterbach Stud will be offering a hugely exciting draft at the August Two Year Old Sale.

Not only does this consignment include the offspring of such popular stallions as Gimmethegreenlight, Kommetdieding, One World and Querari, but Winterbach will also be offering an exceptionally well bred filly from the first crop of resident sire Master Archie.

Hendrik Winterbach is very pleased with his August draft and had the following comments to make:

Lot 26: Que Que f Querari -Flaming Dame
This is a smart filly from a great family. She is very correct and looks like she will run. By one of South Africa’s best stallions, Que Que is out of a stakes placed full-sister to the dam of champion filly Lady In Black.

Lot 204: Fire Bomb f Fire Away -Sylvan On Fire
This filly has solid breeding and the page is improving. Fire Bomb is a great walking filly with a lot to offer. By the same sire as G1 winners Confederate and Fire Attack, Fire Bomb is out of a mare who won six including the G3 Yellowwood Handicap.

Lot 249: f Master Archie -Zili
She is a Master Archie filly. This filly looks speedy with a great page for breeding. From the first crop of her G1 winning sire, this filly is a half-sister to seven winners including G3 Jubilee Stakes winner Meridius.

Lot 25: Elusive Mirrari c Elusive Fort -First Street
This is a first foal out of successful racing mare. This is a classic horse, who is very well put together. By the same sire as the likes of Kommetdieding, Siren’s Call and Littlemissmillion, Elusive Mirrari, who is closely inbred to Fort Wood, is out of a stakes placed winner of six.

Lot 110: Sokomocha c Soqrat -Mocha To Go
From a top family, he has lovely scope and could be a classic horse. He is very correct and smart. A son of triple G1 winner and Equus Champion Soqrat, Sokomocha is out of a three-parts sister to multiple graded stakes winner Barahin.

Lot 198: Anneofgreengables f Gimmethegreenlight -Springisintheair
This is a Gr1 family, and she is very well bred. Looks a smart filly with a lot of promise. By multiple champion sire Gimmethegreenlight, Anneofgreengables is bred on similar lines to the Gimmethegreenlight sired multiple stakes winner Gimme The Stars.

This draft can be viewed from Blocks D and G at the TBA Complex in Germiston.

Volmoed Stud is a farm with a growing number of smart performers to its credit.

Among the Volmoed bred horses to catch the eye this season are the smart filly Obsidian Star and feature race contender Earn The Weekend.

Volmoed will be offering another high-class draft at this year’s August Two Year Old Sale, with this string including two-year-olds sired by the likes of Fire Away, Jet Dark, Master Archie, Master Of My Fate, Pathfork, and Rafeef.

Champion Jet Dark, who had members of his first crop make up to R4 000 000 at this year’s National Sale, is the sire of Jet From Qatar (Lot 15), a filly whose dam ran second in both the G3 Fillies Mile and G3 Three Troikas Stakes.

Another promising young stallion represented in Volmoed’s August draft is Master Archie. That G1 winning son of Rafeef is doubly represented here with Master’s Sparkle (Lot 155), a filly whose dam won or was placed in more than 40 races, and Majestic Decadence (Lot 323), a filly whose third dam is none other than Equus Champion National Bay.

Master Archie’s hugely successful sire Rafeef is also represented in this string. Rafeef, whose recent flagbearers include the likes of Haute Couture, William Robertson and Flower Island, is responsible for Jophiel (Lot 167), a filly out of a winning daughter of Commands who hails from the same family as champion Samantha Miss (the latter sired, like Rafeef, by Redoute’s Choice).

Volmoed will also be offering, as agent, Superfastsuperstar (Lot 258), a regally bred son of top sire Master Of My Fate. Not only is this colt a half-brother to 2025 G2 Follow@WorldPool on X Umkhomazi Stakes third placegetter Titan Of The Turf, but his dam is a three time winning daughter of G2 SA Oaks runner up Star Safari.

This draft can be viewed from Blocks D and E at the TBA Complex in Germisto

Mission To Mars cruises in by 10,50 lengths (JC Photos)

Trainer Stuart Pettigrew and owner Willem Ackerman would have had mixed feelings at the end of the Turffontein Standside meeting today (Tuesday) as one of the latter’s imported horses excelled, while the other one disappointed.

In the third race of the day, a maiden over 1600m Pettigrew ran the Sea The Stars five-year-old gelding Mission To Mars, whom Ackerman had bought as an unraced “Horse Out Of Training” for 30,000 Gns at a Tattersalls Horses In Training Sale in the British Autumn of 2024.

Apparently the horse came with a reputation for not working, he has also been gelded since being purchased and he went down with a pony. Stuart said aftewards the horse had not shown any reluctance to work since arriving.

He duly had the racing community buzzing on Tuesday when putting up a stirling performance in just his second visit to the racecourse.

On debut he had come from last with a storming run that saw him making up many lengths to finish second and he duly started at cramped odds of 1/3 on Tuesday after being backed in from 77/100.

He found the rail with ease from draw two and settled reasonably well in the box seat, although not perfectly.

In the straight Philasande Mxoli sat until the 400m mark before letting him go and he then accelerated smartly before galloping away to win by 10,50 length while just being ridden with the hands.

Willem revealed later that it had taken a year to get the horse to the races, so he clearly has his quirks. However, he added that the yard knew what his problems were and he said he looked to be a promising horse.

He will certainly be followed with interest by racing fans.

The next Pettigrew-trained Ackerman-owned imported horse at the meeting was the five-year-old entire Deepone, who is by the Irish-bred Deep Impact stallion Study Of Man. Deepone won his first two starts in Ireland for trainer Paddy Twomey and in his fifth start won a Gr 2 race over a mile at The Curragh. In his final start overseas he won a Listed race over seven and-a-half furlongs at Tipperary on October 5, 2025. He was purchased by Willem for 30,000 gns at a Tattersalls Horses In Training Sale.

Willem is a partner of Advocate Nigel Riley in Heversham Park Stud and Deepone could be a candidate to join the stallion ranks there at some stage.

He was running on Tuesday in a Pinnacle Stakes event over 1600m and had to carry joint topweight of 60kg off an official 119 rating.

Stuart had revealed after Misson To Mars’ win that Deepone did not show the work of a 119 rated horse, but he said he was fit and expected a good race.

He had drawn well in three in the 1600m contest and clearly needed it because he pulled badly throughout in behind horses.

He duly faded out to run last but he did at least show a good action and it would not be surprising to see him run in a sprint next just to get him going in South Africa, where the pace of races is a crawl compared to what Deepone would have been used to in Ireland.

Mxolisi rode a double at the meeting, while Tony Peter and Kabelo Matsunyane had a treble together and Calvin Habib rode a double.

The Champions Cup being held by the connections of Jet Dark, the winner of the big race in both 2021 and 2022. (Candiese Lenferna Photography) 

By Ada van der Bent

The HKJC Champions Cup as we know it today, was originally called the Clairwood Winter Handicap. Contested over 1800m, it was the flagship race of the Clairwood Turf Club and traces its origins to 1924.

In recent years, the race has been run under several names depending on sponsorship, including periods as the Mainstay 1800 (1982 to 1994) and the Sharp Electronics Cup (1995 to 2000).

As the Clairwood Winter Handicap, it never failed to attract top-tier horses and featured on the resumes of many racing greats, arguably the most notable of which the legendary Sea Cottage, who completed the double in 1967 in yielding going under the steadier of 136 lbs (62 kg). Of his two victories, the first was the more remarkable, given that he ran down a Durban July winner in King Willow, who held an advantage of six lengths in the straight. Such was the acceleration flashed by Sea Cottage that he got up close home to win going away with nearly a length to spare.

With the demise of Clairwood racecourse, the Champions Cup moved to Hollywoodbets Greyville in 2013 when it was won by Jackson.

Sea Cottage is one of just three back-to-back winners. It took almost a half-century for the next dual winner to come, this being Futura in 2014, who returned to complete the double twelve months later. Jet Dark followed suit when he claimed both the 2021 and 2022 races. The only other horse to win the race twice was Goldwater, albeit not consecutively.

More recently, the 2024 race proved to be a vintage renewal, where the big-striding Dave The King faced nine rivals, all of whom had contested the Hollywoodbets Durban July. He treated them with disdain, surged into the lead at the top of the straight and ran on relentlessly to win with ease.

DID YOU KNOW

When Sabre won the race in 1974, he clocked 1 minute 46 seconds, which at the time was a world record over 1800m on turf. That set the benchmark for 35 years and lasted until 2009, when Ivory Trail burst on the scene late to snatch victory on the line, whilst shaving over half a second off the record to score in 1 minute 45,41 seconds.

The Cup has been won by some exceptional fillies, notably Exeter Chimes, Kings Pact and Response, while those of a more vintage include Tecla Bluff and Spook Express. When Princess Calla claimed the honours in 2023, it was her third Gr 1 victory of the season, an achievement which scooped her the ultimate accolade, that of Horse of the Year.

There has only been one deadheat in its long and storied history. In a dramatic finish to the 1958 race, Tiger Fish dead-heated with the filly Response.

The most successful trainer of the modern era is Brett Crawford, who saddled five winners in the space of just six years. Jackson set the ball rolling in 2013, followed by dual winner Futura (2014 and 2015), Sail South (2107) and finally Captain America in 2018.

Esteemed can return from a 16 month layoff to win a Progress Plate (JC Photos)

The highest rated race at the Hollywoodbets Scottsville meeting on Wednesday (22nd July) is a Progress Plate over 1200m and it could be won by a horse who is returning from a 16 month layoff, the Mike and Mathew de Kock-trained Esteemed.

The Rafeef colt is out of a High Chaparral maiden and after wining easily on debut he finished a two length second in the Gr 2 TAB SA Nursery. The now three-year-old has not raced since that eyecatching performance in which he was bumped leaving the gate and left detached at the back of the field before making up the ground and contesting the finish with Green Diamond. The earlier exertions to get back on terms took its toll late and he was beaten two lengths but he looks to have the class to return from a rest for the De Kocks, who will have him fit enough. He is officially rated 105 and is the best weighted male in the race, so he should go close carrying a nice galloping weight of 54,5kg.

The best weighted runner is Infinity Edge, who is 3,5kg well in with Esteemed, who is the second best weighted. Infinity Edge was not disgraced when 5,70 lengths behind Keukenhof in the Gr 3 Umzimkhulu Stakes over 1400m nor when she was beaten 7,75 lengths by Wish List in the Gr 2 WSB Fillies Guineas, but she was disappointing last time on the poly when beaten 5,55 lengths over 1400m in a Middle Stakes event on the Hollywoodbets Greyville poly even if she did have to carry 63kg.

Amelia’s Legacy is full of class and her last couple of disappointing starts are simply due to her having lost her confidence due to a starting stall incident. This drop in trip might be what is needed to spark her and she could go close with a feather weight. The Last Duke will be racing fit and hence could upset the applecart against as the others all have question marks hanging over them,  Good For You is a Gr 2 winner who has the class to go close and he could well enjoy the step down in trip as a horse who can take a hold. The other runner is A Good Heart, who is way out at the weights and has to bounce back from a poor effort in April.

In the first leg of the Pick 6 over 1400m Trombolines is distance suited and should go close in his third run after a layoff over an ideal trip from pole position. El Dante has some class and will have come on from his last run so has a chance over an ideal course and distance. Next Of Kin is consistent and should be right there.

In the fifth race over 1750m Black Platina is a lot better than her last start and could bounce back over a suitable course and distance with Craig Zackey up. Chaos Queen could be in the shake up if repeating her last start. Takethegreenlight can be right there if able to overcome a tricky draw.

In the sixth race over 1200m the talented Showgirl returns from an eight month layoff but can get away with it over this trip and she could be well ahead of the handicapper off a 76 rating. Xenophon looked to be a fair sort in the making at one stage so has been disappointing in his last two starts but he can bounce back.

In the eighth race over 1200m Hah Lah Lah looks to be going places and can make it three wins from four starts. Best Of All and Kalahari Roller could be a threat. Masterofthedesert could be ahead of the handicapper having won on his KZN debut and being raised only three points and Military Command has plenty of ability.

In the ninth over 1200m Rags To Riches won well second time out and the form has worked out well and she can beat home Sovereign Gem and Lady Jean.

In the third race over 1400m Prized Possession look promising and can get off the mark.

In the second race over 1000m Cartel Queen is consistent and has the form to go close.

In the first race over 1200m Egolee made a fine debut and could go one better.