Turf Talk Newsletter – 22 July, 2026

Buffalo Storm Cody is out to defend his Gr 1 wfa Mercury Sprint title, but will he be seen overseas in the near future? (Picture: Candiese Lenferna)

The Gr 1 wfa Mercury Sprint to be run at Sunday’s World Pool Gold Cup meeting at Hollywoodbets Greyville is really up there with the Gr 1 HKJC Champions Cup on the same day as one of the races of the season, because our sprinters could feasibly compete at meetings like Royal Ascot.

Sprinting is the weakest division in Europe and the like of Buffalo Storm Cody,  Questioning and two or three others could perhaps take advantage of the new opening of direct flights to Britain and compete in one or more of the Gr 1 sprints at the Royal Ascot meeting next year and, in fact, they might even be able to get over in time to compete in this year’s Gr 1 Prix de l’Abbaye de Longchamp on the first Sunday of October in Paris’s famous Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe meeting.

The Mercury Sprint to be run over 1200m carries a stake of R1 million.

It is often the decisive race in identifying the Equus Champion Sprinter for the season.

Buffalo Storm Cody is the winner of one of the wfa Gr 1s this season, the Computaform Sprint over 1000m, and he won the Mercury Sprint last year. He is better drawn than he was last year having landed the plum barrier position of four out of 12 as opposed to draw nine out of 14. He comes off a magnificent preparation run in the Gr 3 Post Merchants, where he jumped from draw nine and was eating up the ground late to be beaten half-length into second by Jet Force. He is now 2kg better off with Jet Force, so should reverse the form. He does face third-placed Tenango on the same terms for a mere short-head beating, but he seemed to be using the Post Merchants as a preparation run for the Mercury. Buffalo Storm Cody did beat Tenango by 1,60 lengths in last year’s Mercury Sprint, but the latter was drawn very wide then and has a plum draw this year. Gavin Lerena knows Buffalo Storm Cody Well and could give him the edge.

Questioning is unfortunately drawn very wide in barrier position 11 out of 12 but will nevertheless be a big threat as he has transformed into an athlete of rare quality this season and is going for his fifth win in succession. Two notiecables aspects of this Querari gelding are he is always turned out in superb condition and he appears to relish his job. He is able to relax well enough in the running to make full use of his devastating turn of foot and he displayed his courage last time when somehow finding extra to win the Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge over 1600m over a trip that stretches him. With Richard Fourie up the crowd could well be treated to another thrilling duel down the straight between Questioning and Buffalo Storm Cody and it is hard to separate them.

It is far from being a two horse race though.

Gr 1 SA Fillies Sprint winner Asiye Phambili is a top class sprinter who seems to get better all the time and if able to relax in a good spot she will be storming home. On strict form she is held by Questioning as she was beaten 4,35 lengths by him in the Gr 2 Khaya Stables Diadem over 1200m down the straight at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth. However, her regular rider Sean Veale was not aboard that day and she was used early to overcome a wide draw and then sat in a handy position. Ideally, she likes to be left alone before running on from off the pace. Veale is now back aboard. She has a tricky draw of seven, but should be able to sit and run on.

Tenango ran on superbly from way back in the Post Merchants and as already mentioned has a great chance on paper from the form of that race. Last year when beaten just 1,60 lengths in the Mercury he was drawn way wide in 13 and he now has draw two.

O’Tenikwa has superb gatespeeed and early pace and he he thrives on preparation runs, so having his third run after a rest he could find extra in the straight. This long-striding galloper could be a threat.

Mia Moo Is a good sprinter, but looks held by Buffalo Storm Cody and Asiye Phambili, although this former Gr 1 SA Fillies Sprint winner could earn from pole position.

Jet Force Ran on very well to win the Gr 3 Post Merchants over course and distance last time out in his first attempt at a sprint distance since May last year, but he is now 2kg worse off with both Buffalo Storm Cody and Tenango for half-a-length beatings. He jumps from a good draw of five and should be running on again, so could find a place.

Green Diamond, who won the Gr 2 SA Nursery over 1160m as a two-year-old last season and has since won the Gr 3 TAB Protea Stakes over 1100m and the Listed Bidvest Bauhinia Stakes over 1000m, has 3,20 lengths to make up on Buffalo Storm Cody on Gr 1 wfa Computaform Sprint form over 1000m and he comes off a layoff of more than three-and-a-half months.

Taxi To The Moon has been in devastating form, with one of his only two defeats in his last seven starts being a second place finish in the Gr 1 wfa Computaform Sprint. He has just 1,90 lengths to find on Buffalo Storm Cody on Computaform Sprint form, but he has a tricky draw of eight. He has won a 1000m contest around the turn at Hollywoodbets Greyville before and can’t be ignored.

Cats Pajamas was a 1,75 lengths fourth to Buffalo Storm Cody last year from draw ten and now has draw nine, albeit in a smaller field. He comes off a below par run in the Post Merchants, but had a very wide draw that day and can do better.

Cafe Culture is a former Post Merchants winner over this course and distance and is an honest sort. He has a wide draw of ten, but could run on into the money after being dropped out.

Cosmic Speed is a Gr 1-winning sprint miler, who has the class and speed to be a threat over this suitable course and distance. However, he looks held by Buffalo Storm Cody and Taxi To The Moon on this season’s form and has a tough draw of 12 out of 12.

The Mercury Sprint is packed with class this year and it is going to be a race to savour.

Perhaps it will unearth a sprinter or two capable of raiding Europe.

The selection is Buffalo Storm Cody to narrowly beat Questioning with Asiye Phambili, Tenango and O’Tenikwa next best.

The giant Erik Dubois is improving all the time and has a chance from a good draw in the Gr 1 World Pool Moment Of The Day Champion Stakes (Picture: Race Coast)

Summerveld trainer Louis Goosen has a couple of runners on World Pool Gold Cup day on Sunday at Hollywoodbets Greyville as well as a reserve and he is bullish about all three of them.

In the Gr 1 World Pool Moment Of The Day Champion Stakes over 1600m he runs the giant horse Erik Dubois (Erik The Red) who ran on well last time out in the Gr 2 Durban Golden Horseshoe over 1400m and is improving all the time.

Goosen said, “He is a big, solid sort, you are talking about a 600kg two-year-old and he is still growing in the hindquarters, so I don’t know if he will even fit into the starting stalls – they might have to extend the back or something! He is a magnificent horse. You will see the best of him at three, but I think he is a huge, huge runner in the Champion Stakes on Sunday. He is still a soft, big boy, but he is coming on all the time. He is at the top of his game.”

As opposed to the Golden Horseshoe when drawn widest of all in 14 and dropped in near the back before running on for a 2,95 length sixth, the Laurence Wernars family-owned horse is now drawn three and he has the bonus of three-time SA Champion jockey Lyle Hewitson aboard.

Earlier in the Gr 2 World Pool With Race Coast Debutante over 1200m Louis runs Ferrari Flair. This Vercingetorix two-year-old filly might still be a maiden, but she has shown class against the best.

In the Gr 3 Tote Strelitzia Stakes over 1100m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville she finished a 0,35 length third in her career third start.

She followed that with a 6,25 length seventh in the Gr 2 Allan Robertson Championship over 1200m in which she ran on very well from last after being squeezed out at the start.

Next time out she ran a fine 2,30 length third to Alice B Toklas in the Listed Devon Air Stakes over 1400m from a pole position draw.

In her last start she didn’t find much extra late when handy and running a 3,25 length eighth in the Gr 2 Amusnet Golden Slipper over 1400m.

She now reverts to a 1200m trip.

Goosen said, “We have got her absolutely spot on and I think she is definitely a runner. We had to decide whether to go up to the mile or back to the 12 and as she has run some crackers over sprints we decided to come down in trip. We managed to get Richard Fourie for the ride.”

Ferrari Flair has landed a plum draw of three and as a non-winner gets 2,5kg from the Gr 2 Amusnet Golden Slipper winner Palace Of Avernia. Interestingly the latter beat her by 1,40 lengths in the Allan Robertson over this trip, so that puts them just about together at the weights here.

Ferrari Flair should be staying on strongly and has a chance.

The yard’s reserve runner is Blazing Fury, who is second reserve for the Listed HKIR In December Umngeni Handicap over 1000m.

Louis said, “Blazing Fury will be one of the nicest place bets in a long time if he gets in as he has been set 52kg and I will have claimer Blaine Marx-Jacobson up. He will be out at the weights still, but it won’t matter, he will be a huge runner if there are two scratchings.”

Ascot Stud, the breeders of such outstanding performers as Rock Opera, Pacific Trader, Warning Zone, and Arabian Lass, will be once again offering a quality packed draft at this year’s August Two Year Old Sale.

Not only does this draft include the stock of such sires as Act Of War, Digital Age, Fire Away, Global View, Hawwaam, Heavenly Blue and The United States, it also contains two-year-olds from some of the best families around.

Ashley Parker is pleased with the quality of two-year-old he is bringing to Germiston, and singled out the following lots as being especially attractive:

Lot 10: Soldier’s Hollow c Declarationofpeace -Entrench
He is a big good looking Declarationofpeace colt out of an Oasis Dream mare from the family of two broodmare of the years and multiple international Champions

Lot 82: Trump It Up c The United States -Linda Loves Lace
He is an imposing, big and powerful The United States colt out of a Captain Al mare, who is the dam of the G1 placed Tina Lovelace. This is the family of champions Gold Flier and Successful Bidder

Lot 153: Mount Kiara f Global View -Rainbow Rock
She is a racy, good-quartered filly who is a half sister to the dual Listed winning and exciting US Ranger from the family of Champion Rock Opera and Gr1 winners Van Halen,Gulf Storm and Royal Meeting

Lot 177: Flash Point c Heavenly Blue -Sheema
He is a extremely well made and attractive Heavenly Blue colt out of an Archipenko mare  from the family of  the G1 winning sprinter Dyce

Lot 257: c Heavenly Blue -African Sky
He is a late but attractive Heavenly Blue colt out of a half sister to a G3 winner and family of Champion and 6 time G1 winning Desert War

Lot 319: Fiery Heart c Fire Away -Crafty Heart
He is a strong-quartered Fire Away colt out of a three time winning Mastercraftsman mare. This is the  family of the G1 winning Leicester as well as G2 winner Await the Dawn

This draft can be viewed from Block B at the TBA Complex in Germiston.

Beaumont Stud have bred another top-class performer in the form of Jet Force.

A leading contender for Saturday’s G1 Mercury Sprint, four-year-old Jet Force has picked up a pair of graded stakes races this season in the form of the G3 Variety Club Mile and G3 Post Merchants respectively.

His breeder will be offering a beautifully bred colt (Lot 11) from the first crop of champion Jet Dark at this year’s August Two Year Old Sale. Closely inbred to Jet Master (the paternal grandsire of Jet Force), this colt is out of G3 Kenilworth Fillies Nursery winner Epsom Girl.

The latter, in turn, was produced by Listed Oaks Trial winner Epsom Downs, a daughter of high-class broodmare sire Tiger Ridge. The well bred Epsom Downs is out of a half-sister to the G1 winning champion Kochka, and, further back, this is the family of globetrotting champion Jay Peg, among others.

This colt can be viewed from Block A at the TBA Complex in Germiston.

Querari has had a fantastic season in 2025-2026. At the time of writing, Querari has been responsible for seven stakes winners in South Africa this season, with Querari runners having claimed 12 black type races in 2025-2026.

Among his star performers this season are G1 Daily News 2000 winner Star Major, G1 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge winner Questioning, graded stakes winners Time Is Precious and Vibe Check, and the hugely exciting Turn It Up.

Benmarne Stud, who has already enjoyed plenty of success with the progeny of Querari, will be offering a pair of well bred Querari two-year-olds at the upcoming August Two Year Old Sale.

Arne Botha is understandably pleased with his two horses and had the following to say about them.

Lot 178: Lookatemyoyo’s c Querari -Shield Maiden
He is a very good looking colt, and a good mover. He is from an outstanding family, with his dam a winning half-sister to champion Via Africa, the dam of Australian G1 winning stars Autumn Glow and In The Congo.

Lot 326: Drop Of Honey f Querari -Delia’s Delight
She is a three-parts sister to champion Rio Querari, and is out of a seven time winning Dynasty mare. This is an excellent family, with this filly’s relatives including such G1 winners as Captain’s Gal and Good For You.

These two two-year-olds can be viewed from Block B at the TBA Complex in Germiston.

Esteemed cruises in with big strides after a 420 day layoff (Picture: Julia Marnewick) 

The Mike and Mathew de Kock-trained 2025 Gr 2 SA Nursery runner up Esteemed came back from a 16 month layoff to pulverise a Progress Plate field by 5,30 lengths over 1200m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Wednesday.

The big Ridgemont-bred Rafeef colt is out of an Australian-bred High Chaparral maiden and made an enormous impression on debut over 1160m at Turffontein Standside on March 22 last year when flying home with long strides to win by 4,50 lengths under Ryan Munger.

However, in his next start in the Nursery just a week later, where he started 9/10 favourite, he dwelt and was then bumped and that left him detached at the back of the field.

His big stride carried him into contention, but the bird had flown and he was beaten two lengths by the 8/1 chance Green Diamond.

Mike de Kock revealed that things had subsequently gone “pear-shaped” for the big colt to the extent that it might have been the end of his career had there not been owners willing to pay the big veterinarian bills to get him right.

Owners Ridgemont and Devin Heffer had faith in De Kock’s belief that the horse was Gr 1 material and not only splashed out but had the patience to wait for a full recovery too.

“They will now be rewarded,” said De Kock.

An inkling of how highly De Kock regards the now three-year-old colt is that he was speaking of races like the L’Ormarins King’s Plate as the colt’s first big target next season.

He said the Jo’Burg Spring Challenge might be an early season springboard for him next term.

Esteemed was officially merit rated 105 going into Wednesday’s race and only had to carry 54,5kg which made him well weighted with every horse except the 106-rated filly Infinity Edge.

He jumped well and then just idled for the first half of the race as Amelia’s Legacy and last season’s Gr 1 Gold Medallion winner Good For You set the fractions.

Richard Fourie gave the big colt some rein at the halfway mark and he simply used his big stride to saunter into the lead before drawing away and winning easing up from the 100-rated The Last Duke.

The latter is a Paul Matchett-trained Duke Of marmalade gelding and should pay to follow as he gave Esteemed 5,5kg.

However, Richard Fourie did say later about Esteemed, “He comes from a 420 day layoff and  1200m is far too short for him and he goes and does that, so he is a very exciting horse.”

Commenting on the ease of the victory, Fourie said, “It honestly felt like a working gallop.”

Esteemed is definitely one to pencil in.

Phenisile Mongqawa with his mentor James Maree is no stranger to success in Workriders’ meetings (JC Photos) 

There is a seven race meeting at the Vaal on Thursday and all seven races are work riders maidens

The outside rail is in by just two metres and this setup usually leads to high draws being favourable in the races down the straight, but often the jockeys go to the side where the winners come from and with a lot of the fancied horses drawn low it might lead to them seeking inside ground.

in the first race over 1000m Master’s Lady has the best form but has drawn the potentially tricky number one draw. However, she has the accomplished rider Tobias Mango up. Caladrus has shown some ability and could be a threat from a nice high draw with the good rider Phenisile Mongqawa aboard.

In the second over 1000m the two-year-old filly Astrophile makes most appeal on form, having made a good debut, but she is another one with a low draw, although Mongqawa will aid her cause. Echoes Of War’s potentially favourable high draw could see him going close as he has shown ability and has the accomplished Savannah Valjalo up. The latter’s 1,5kg gender claim is a bonus.

in the third over 2000m Epidaurus has drawn pole position and can go in as he has run three seconds in three starts between 1800m and 2000m.

In the fourth over 1500m Lolly Willowes has a low draw, but does not have much to beat and is the first choice. Global Royalty could be the biggest threat.

In the fifth over 1500m Sam Mosia can help Steel Pier overcome a low draw. This colt by The United States has run well in his last two starts and they have shown him to have the ability to beat this field.

In the sixth over 1300m Meghan’s Diamond ran well on her Highveld debut and can win this with Chamu Mabaya up.

The last race could go to Roman Twist who looks capable of improvement and has Mongqawa up. Wish You Were Here and Glastonbury Fire should be in the shake up too.