Turf Talk Newsletter – 21 October, 2026

Richard Fourie’s grins says it all! (Picture: Wayne Marks)

The second race at Hollywoodbets Durbanville today (Wednesday) saw a spectacular victory for the Justin Snaith-trained grey three-year-old gelding by Futura, Rain In France.

He enjoyed himself from the off of the 1400m event in his second career start and was soon opening up a lead under Richard Fourie, despite traveling within himself under a nice long rein.

He showed off his big, but uncomplicated action when let go in the straight and  ultimately crossed the line 9,75 lengths clear, easing up, having still been full of running.

He had converted odds of even money.

Rain In France is by Futura out of Aqlaam mare Imvula, who is a half-sister to the former Snaith-trained grey stalwart Dancer’s Daughter, whose most famous of five Gr 1 victories was when dead-heating with the legendary Pocket Power in the July.

Dancer’s Daughter dead-heats with Pocket Power in the 2008 July (Gold Circle)

Rain In France’s performance was in fact reminiscent of his aunt Dancer’s Daughter.

Not only is he grey, but he clearly enjoys galloping and Jonathan Snaith remarked that he had quite a similar action to Dancer’s Daughter too.

An extract from some writings about Dancer’s Daughter gives insight into her character and her love of galloping (see below):

Justin said Dancer’s Daughter had a lovely temperament. She was one of his favourite rides on the beach, where she was as quiet as a lamb. However, it all changed as soon as she saw a race track. Her racing instincts then kicked in and she just loved to gallop. Snaith recalled she won her first grass gallop by seven lengths. However, she always used to fight for her head in her workouts. As a consequence the former rugby-playing Justin often had to ride her himself. One day at her Clairwood Champions Season base he said to her before a workout, “Ok I have had enough of your fighting, so today I am just going to let you do your own thing.” He let her go and she ran three times around Clairwood’s training track before he, not the horse, decided enough was enough.

It is ironic that in the build up to the 2008 Durban July Dancer’s Daughter was ridden in her work by Pocket Power’s jockey Bernard Fayd’Herbe as he was one of the few capable of holding her.

Justin said, “If I had run her in the Gold Cup I think she could have won with 65kg on her back.”

Justin’s interview after Rain In France’s victory revealed that he was really enjoying training him, despite it being a challenge that required him to dig deep into the resourcefulness he had built up through many years of training thoroughbreds.

By all accounts he became very excited and animated by the imposing grey’s superb performance and he admitted in the winning interview, “It has been a lot of work!”

He explained, “The excitement came from doing things rights, which stems from all the experience I have gained around the world in learning how to deal with issues and problems when they arise. Everybody’s a good trainer … until things go wrong! Then you figure out who can train and who can’t! For example when a yard gets a virus and how a trainer reacts to it. Early in my career I inherited a horse from my father called Cordocelli who had real issues and I had to figure it out very quickly.”

Justin then mentioned another Futura he trains, Note To Self, and said in the beginning Note To Self would not go anywhere near the starting stalls. Justin reacted by gelding him, putting him away and then schooling him, and of course he went on to win the Hollywoodbets Durban July.

He said, “And now with this Futura it was the same thing again!”

He thus had to geld him and he revealed that the country’s most respected “horse whisperer” Malan Du Toit had done a lot of work with him.

He added that upon seeing him walk into the ring at the Sale he had wanted him, not only for his impeccable pedigree and that he had trained a Futura before, but also because he was a grey. He revealed he was a sucker for horses who could go over ground, but who had attitude at the same time.

Rain In France displaying a bit of attitude at home (Picture Supplied)

Richard Fourie revealed he did not often watch racing, but he watched this horse’s debut because he had lamented not being able to ride him as he was on suspension.

Justin reckoned had his debut been down the straight, like Note To Self’s, he would not have been beaten.

However, after flyjumping over 1250m at Hollywoodbets Durbanville he had to make up an enormous amount of ground in the straight.

He was only beaten 1,65 lengths in the end and Richard immediately contacted Justin asking him for the ride next time.

Drakenstein Stud bred Rain In France and he is owned by a syndicate made up of Gaynor Rupert and some of her friends called L’Ormarins & Friends.

Dancer’s Daughter was a British-bred out of unfashionable sire Act One, who became more well known as a jumps sire.

At stud she produced a Listed winner by Silvano called Born To Perform and has one stakes placed horse among four other winners.

Drakenstein imported her half-sister Imvula, who was bought at the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale for 30,000 Gns and never raced, but she has turned out to be a better broodmare than Dancer’s Daughter was.

Imvula means “rain” in Zulu and several other Nguni languages of Southern Africa and hence the naming of her progeny, who include the Triple Tiara-winning heroine Rain In Holland (Duke Of Marmalade), Gr 3 winner Itsrainingwilliam (William Longsword) and three-times Gr 3 runner up Rain In Newmarket (Kingsbarns).

Jonathan Snaith summed up the sentiments about Rain In France, saying:

“From the moment he began his fast work, this youngster has given us every reason to believe he could be something special. He possesses an impressive turn of foot, has gears to spare, and, perhaps most excitingly, is still learning what the game is all about.

That said, the Cape Guineas may arrive a little too soon in his development. Justin has always believed in allowing his young horses the time they need to fulfil their potential, rather than rushing them into races before they are ready.

With that in mind, the Swiss Cape Derby and Daily News 2000 could prove a more suitable route. It is a path not dissimilar to the one followed by another talented son of Futura, Note to Self, who ultimately went on to capture the Hollywoodbets Durban July.

Of course, we are not suggesting he has reached those heights just yet, but the raw ingredients are certainly there, and it is difficult not to get excited about what the future might hold.

Justin will discuss the various options with the partners before deciding on the next chapter of what promises to be an exciting journey for them all.

It’s a wonderul syndicate of friends. Good horses create special memories, but it’s the people you share them with who make those memories truly unforgettable.”

Rain In France’s time was noticeably faster then the two other winners on the day over the same 1400m trip, clocking 85,99 seconds compared to 87.66 for the Snaith-trained Navigation (Vercingetorix) and 87.50 for the James Crawford-trained Virginias Bluebell (What A Winter).

He looks to be an exciting horse to follow.

Snaith scored a treble on the day, two of them ridden by Fourie and the other by JP van der Merwe, who scored a double.

2026 ALLIED STEELRODE ONAMISSION CHARITY MILE DRAW

Racing With Purpose. Changing Lives.

Johannesburg, South Africa — 4Racing hosted the barrier draw for the 2026 Gr2 Allied Steelrode OnAMission Charity Mile at TAB Turffontein Racecourse on Wednesday, 21 October.

Held in the Centenary Room, the draw revealed the barrier positions for the 18-horse field and one reserve runner, with R1 million to be distributed among the 20 participating charities. The donations range from R140,000 to the charity paired with the winning horse, all the way through to a minimum of R40,000 for the charity whose horse crosses the line in last position.

To add to the day’s festivities, Allied Steelrode, in partnership with Suzuki South Africa, is giving away a branded 2026 Suzuki Swift 1.2 GL.

After 38 initial entries, the field was whittled down to 18 runners and 1 reserve.

Additional beneficiary: Joburg Child Welfare.

St Francis Care Centre, paired with reserve runner Immediate Edge, will receive the minimum R40,000 contribution, as will Joburg Child Welfare, which was not paired with a runner.

Allied Steelrode Group CEO Arun Chadha said, “Covid taught us that there are more people in need than there are people giving. And it also taught us that there is more pleasure in giving than in receiving. This is the sixth year of the race and we are going on to ever greater success.”

4Racing CEO Patrick Duff commented, “We thank Allied Steelrode for its continued support of South African horseracing and its commitment to this very special initiative. The Charity Mile demonstrates the positive difference our sport can make in local communities, and we look forward to another memorable day of racing and giving back.”

The Gr2 race, offering a stake of R1million, has a storied history. Originally run as the Germiston November at Gosforth Park, it moved to Newmarket in 2002, before transferring to its current home at Turffontein in 2007. The honour roll includes a number of South African turf greats, including Foveros and Wolf Power, who famously won back-to-back renewals in 1982 and 1983.

Leading global steel manufacturer Allied Steelrode took up sponsorship of the race in 2021, which marked the start of back to back victories for Bingwa – who not only emulated Wolf Power’s feat, but did it for two different trainers and two different jockeys. He was followed by 2022 Summer Cup hero, Puerto Manzano, and 2023 Hollywoodbets Durban July winner, Winchester Mansion and 2024 Betway Summer Cup winner, Atticus Finch.

With 20 charities set to benefit, the Allied Steelrode On A Mission Charity Mile once again brings racing and community support together in a shared purpose: racing to make a difference.

Keeneland Racecourse’s motto is “Racing as it was meant to be.” (Picture: thoroughbredracing.com)

The 2026 edition of the Breeders’ Cup is already a record-breaking affair as an unprecedented 255 pre-entries have been accepted for the World Championships on 30 and 31 October at Keeneland.

Representing a record 222 individual horses, including 79 international contenders—the second-highest number in history behind 80 in 2024—the exceptional lineup underscores the global prestige of the World Championships and sets the stage for a spectacular edition in the heart of Kentucky’s Bluegrass region.

The international reach of the World Championships is reflected in the breadth of its pre-entries, with horses bred in 10 countries (Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, France, Great Britain, Ireland, Japan, South Africa, and the United States) on six continents (Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, and South America).

See the entries here.

Headlining the action is defending $7 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic Champion Forever Young (JPN), who returns to face a star-studded group of challengers, including Sovereignty, Golden Tempo, Knightsbridge, and Magnitude.

With 12 past Breeders’ Cup Champions among the pre-entries and 58 contenders earning their spots through the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series: Win and You’re In, the stage is set for an unforgettable two days of racing.

Ombudsman wins Saturday’s Champion Stakes at Ascot (Picture: Sky Sports Racing)

Gosden decides against Breeders’ Cup for Ombudsman

However, the Japan Cup is now being mooted as a possible target.

At The Races

Ombudsman will not travel to Keeneland for the Breeders’ Cup Turf after all, John Gosden has announced.

Having impressed so much in winning the Champion Stakes at Ascot on Saturday, Gosden, who trains with his son Thady, confirmed that he was in line to step up to a mile and a half for the first time.

However, the master of Clarehaven has now decided that the race will come too soon, but he has raised the possibility of a crack at the Japan Cup.

Gosden told the Press Association: “It’s very simple, the horse ran four days ago at Ascot and he would have to work tomorrow, get on a plane for a cross-Atlantic flight, quarantine and it’s not fair to ask him to do that then ask him to run back within 14 days with a long journey in the middle.

“In fairness, we felt having discussed it with everyone, we shouldn’t be trying to do that with him after he ran such a brilliant race in the Champion Stakes and we could consider the Japan Cup now.

“There’s plenty of time to that now in November, but to rush him over to America and put him through that we didn’t think was in the best interests of the horse.”

He went on: “Japan would be a tentative plan and no more than that. It’s the only other race this year he could really run in and an important international race, so to that extent it’s a tentative plan.

“After that we’re probably talking retirement and it would have been nice to go to America, we wanted to go and do it because we like the Breeders’ Cup a lot, but the horse has to come first.”

Diamond Necklace has been nominated for the Turf after she finished third in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe but from a wide draw she lost very little in defeat.

She still has the option of running against her own sex in the Filly & Mare Turf over nine and a half furlongs but with Aidan O’Brien favouring Precise for that race, he is likely to split his aces.

The Turf is a race the Europeans tend to dominate and with the likes of Bay City Roller, Tiffany, Survie and last year’s winner Ethical Diamond they once again have a strong hand.

Blue Bolt has been a revelation this season for Andrew Balding, she has the option of taking on the boys in the Mile or stepping up in trip for the Filly & Mare Turf.

Charlie Appleby’s six-time Group One winner Notable Speech won the Mile last year and will be back to defend his crown with Ten Bob Tony also in the mix. Qirat is third reserve in that race.

Comanche Brave has been brilliant this season for Donnacha O’Brien since stepping back in trip, winning the July Cup and the Flying Five. He heads the Europeans in the Turf Sprint along with Karl Burke’s Prix de l’Abbaye winner Miss Yechance .

“She has been an absolute revelation since coming to me early this summer,” Burke said. “She’s just kept on progressing and, although we don’t do a lot with her at home, she seems to have improved again since her last win at Longchamp.

“I think she’s going to run a big race in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at Keeneland. She was beaten by the likely favourite Bacio at Royal Ascot, but she’s improved enormously since then, and her win at York in August was in a quicker time than Bacio’s Nunthorpe victory there.

“She’s uncomplicated, so tough and a battler and seems versatile on most surfaces.”

Miss Yechance will also be offered for sale at the third Keeneland Championship Sale on the Wednesday, before the Breeders’ Cup.

Folsom Blues and Great Barrier Reef are on the list for the Juvenile Turf along with Avec Toi from France, while Sun Goddess is set to clash with Amusingly in the Juvenile Fillies Turf.

Libertango is among the possibles for the Juvenile Turf Sprint, but Rebecca Menzies’ Adonius looks highly unlikely to get a run as he is just sixth reserve despite winning a race in America already.

WELCOME TO SALES WEEK!

Join us at Hollywoodbets Durbanville for viewing from Wednesday to Friday, 08:00–17:00, as you search for your next champion.

On Friday afternoon, we’ll be hosting a braai for everyone to enjoy, proudly sponsored by Land Rover Constantiaberg and Race Coast Sales.

The sale commences on Saturday at 15:00. We look forward to welcoming you for an exciting week of viewing and selling!

Race Coast Sales – where your future champion awaits.

HAVE YOU REGISTERED FOR A BUYERS CARD?

Please ensure you have your buyer’s card before the sale on Saturday.

The Finance Team will be available in the owners lounge at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on Wednesday and in the infield on Thursday to assist with registration.

We look forward to welcoming you to the sale!

APPLY FOR BUYERS CARD

JOIN US FOR A SPITBRAAI

Race Coast Sales and Land Rover Constantiaberg invite you to join us for a spitbraai this Friday afternoon at Hollywoodbets Durbanville.

Join us in the infield, under the sales Bedouin, for a relaxed afternoon with fellow buyers, vendors and racing enthusiasts.

Please RSVP with Tammy Gilmour at tammy@racecoast.co.za.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Point Of Law wins the Geelong Cup and among the vanquished was the Frankel gelding The Euphrates, who runs in the colours of prolific South African owner Larry Nestadt, who ironically owned Global View’s best son, Dave The King. The Euphrates was unplaced and has a last gasp chance at getting into the Melbourne Cup by winning Saturday’s Gr 2 Moonee Valley Gold Cup over 2500m  (Picture: Racing And Sports)

Cape Breeders

Ascot Stud’s proven G1 sire Global View gained another handsome boost to his pedigree page when his relative Point Of Law won the G3 Ladbrokes Geelong Cup (2400m) at Geelong on Wednesday.

A lightly raced NH bred three year-old, Frankel (who shares his sire Galileo with Global View) colt Point of Law was the least experienced runner with just four previous starts. Barrier 18 was another hurdle to overcome for a horse that had not raced since winning the G3Bahrain Trophy (2600m) at Newmarket in early July.

Given an inspired ride by Ethan Brown, Point of Law cruised across from his wide gate to settle outside expected leader The Euphrates and then relaxed into a nice rhythm as the race unfolded.

Point of Law was happy to follow the leader and moved up to challenge after turning for home before dashing clear with the Joseph O’Brien trained Irish raiders Small Fry and Omni Man closing late to grab second and third.

It was a solid staying performance that will earn him a golden ticket straight into the Melbourne Cup in which he has been given 51kg.

Bookmakers immediately installed Point Of Law as an $8 favourite for The Cup despite the likelihood of a weight penalty for his Geelong Cup success.

Point Of Law is out of the stakes placed Deep Impact mare Portfolio, whose ancestress Ocean’s Answer ranks as the fourth dam of multiple graded stakes winner Global View.

South Africa’s Leading First Season Sire of 2019-2020, Global View is best known as the sire of South African Horse Of The Year and three time G1 winner Dave The King.

British-bred import Mission To Mars (Sea The Stars) has been tipped to win the 6th race (JC Photos)

The Turffontein Inside meeting on Thursday kicks off with a workriders maiden over 1000m which looks set to be fought out by two Tony Peter-trained horses, with a third atablemate also in with a chance.

Astrophile has the best form of those to have run and has the advantage of a 1,5kg gender claim with Savanna Valjalo aboard, not to mention the professional raceriding experience she has, and the horse also gets a 3,5kg gender allowance,. The danger could be the first-timer stablemate First Frost, a One World filly who has the eyecatching booking of Sam Mosia and she would not have to be great shakes to beat this field.

The second race, a maiden over 2600m, is an uninspiring contest and won’t take much winning. The Robyn Klaasen yard is firing at present and on the formlines of her last start her charge Over Sensible could be a contender. Comic Artist has run some fair races and if producing her best would win this, but she is campaigned often and seems to be going a bit downhill. The raider Fire Force has not been disgraced in KZN and was not too far back when tried over 2400m. Jet Platino is also not out of it on form. Noble Chieftan and La Parisienne have poor form, but represent the in-form St. John Gray yard.

In the third race over 1450m Blunderbore has a wide draw, but looks to have the ability to win this anyway. He can be taken to the front from that draw, considering last time he did throw his head up initially when reined in from a good draw and he did then hit the front soon after coming off the false rail. He could not match the finishing speed of Skitt Smiling and is perhaps a bit one-paced, so going to the front makes sense. Uncle Bob has run three good races from 1600m to 1800m and could earn here. Inclusion has shown some ability, but does have 5,75 lengths to find on Blunderbore. Brave Eagle (Master Of My Fate), Snowedin (Twice Over) and Buddy’s Doll (Royal Mo) are the first-timers and the market must be watched.

The next race is a maiden over 1450m for fillies and mares and Purple Rain looks the one to beat. She ran a good second over course and distance in her penultimate start and should enjoy the step back down in trip from a good draw. Royal Fredom ran a fair race last time over course and distance and this rangy sort has plenty of scope for improvement. However, she was caught wide last time from a tricky draw and has a worse draw this time. If she does find cover and is not as green as she was last time she could go close. Without Remorse could bounce back after a somewhat disappointing fourth over 1200m last time out. She has run well over this trip before and from a good draw should go close under Keagan de Melo. Blooming Lovely improved when stepped up to 1600m from sprints third time out, but has not raced since January. Polly Plummer could earn, although she does have a tough draw.

The fith race over 1450m His Majesty is officially well treated, but has shown little in SA to date. However, this is his third run after gelding and he could show what he is made of. Radio Star ran a cracker last time and is not badly out at the weights. Gallic Victor is in with chance from a pole position draw despite being officially way out at the weights. He is 5,5kg better off with Brave Waam for a short-head beating and should be cherry ripe over an ideal distance. Brave Waam is going for a hattrick. He has to overcome an official weight disadvantage. but can make a bold bid as he is progressive and courageous. The best in at the weights is Legend Of Arthur. He has been off form and the trip is a touch on the sharp side. The fiilly Scarlett Heart is second best in, but has to bounce back from a poor run. Tina Lovelace can’t be ignored as she showed a glimpse of a form return last itme.

In the sixth over 2000m Mission To Mars can bounce back after being beaten by a fair sort last time. This is an ideal trip and he looks to have Diwali Rocket and Prince Of Kildare to beat.

The next race over 1600m could be won by the hard-knocking Boundless Love, who represents the in-form Robyn Klaasen yard. He has a plum draw over an ideal trip. War Reporter has a tricky draw, but is in fine form and should be right there under champion jockey Craig Zackey. Industrialstrength should have come on from his good last run and has a chance, despite also having to jump from a wide draw.

The last race over 1800m could be won by the improving Kovil, who should enjoy the step up in trip. Hat Furious and Commander Of All should be in the shake up too.

Today Turf Talk continues to give exposure to the organisations involved in Equine Welfare.

The work being done to care for equines has been brought to the public through a heart-warming, documentary series, Equine Welfare – A Life Worth Caring For, which premiered on 8 October 2026.

The four-part series has been screened on YouTube, Gallop TV, and the Hollywoodbets blog, and was made possible through the support of Hollywood Foundation, Hollywoodbets, and Race Coast.

Click here to read that article

Hollywoodbets have now published all of the episodes based on each of the organisations involved in the equine welfare drive.

The organisations are:

• Coastal Horse Care Unit – KwaZulu-Natal;
• Highveld Horse Care Unit – Gauteng;
• Eastern Cape Horse Care Unit;
• Tom Ro Haven – Western Cape;
• BlindLove – Eastern Cape;
• South African Riding for the Disabled Association Durban, KwaZulu Natal; and
• Hollywoodbets Life After Racing – Ashburton, KwaZulu Natal

Today Turf Talk puts the focus on Blind Love in the East Cape.

Click here to watch the episode about Blind Love (East Cape)