Mike De Kock Plans To Bolster His Summerveld Yard
Mike de Kock now has a permanent yard at Summerveld in addition to his yard at Randjesfontein and he aims to bolster the numbers of his Summerveld operation as he envisages an upturn in the province’s fortunes when Hollywoodbets officially take over.
De Kock said, “I see a big future with Hollywood coming in and taking over. A lot of changes are going to be taking place and there is a lot of potential and therefore I would like to be part of it. It might be at a low now but I think that’s going to change.”
He added, “I’ve only got a small string at Summerveld at the moment, I’ve only got 19 horses, but I’m looking to build it up. I’ve got good staff in both training centres and I just move between the two. I am spending most my time in Jo’Burg at the moment because the season is just starting up here.”
On the horse front there is also plenty to look forward to for De Kock both here and in Australia.
He said Equus Horse Of The Year Dave The King had had a good rest after his halcyon Champions Season campaign and was doing very well ahead of his engagement in the Gr 2 Allied Steelrode – Onamission Charity Mile on November 2, where he will carry 63kg from draw seven (which could go out to 8 if the first reserve Formagear comes in) and he will be ridden by Richard Fourie.
De Kock described the Charity Mile as a “million rand gallop” for Dave The King.
He said, “It’s part of his prep for the L’Ormarins King’s Plate. He will go for that, then a Pinnacle in December and then the King’s Plate.”
Dave The King is still standing his ground in the Betway Summer Cup, but from De Kock’s words it sounds as if he will bypass that race.
However, De Kock has three other Summer Cup entries running in the Charity Mile.
His Gr 1 Woolavington 2000 winner Silver Sanctuary has drawn well in three and will be ridden by Raymond Danielson, while her full brother Safe Passage, runner up in the last two Summer Cups, has drawn 5 and will be ridden by Malesela Katjedi and Shoemaker will be ridden by Diego De Gouveia from draw 9 as things stand.
De Kock also has Gimmeanotherchance in the race and this one took well to first time blinkers, running a close up third over 1450m, but he has drawn widest of all. His regular rider Craig Zackey stays aboard.
On Saturday De Kock’s promising three-year-old Heather’s Boy comes out in a handicap over 1600m at Turffontein Standside and won’t have it easy from draw ten off a 90 merit rating, meaning he has to carry 60kg against older horses. De Kock prefers the horses to do the talking, so is not making any premature statements about this long-striding colt, but there are plenty of race watchers who will be hoping he passes this acid test.
In Australia De Kock is pleased with the progress of a Frankel gelding called Nation’s Call trained by his son Mattthew (in partnership with Robbie Griffiths). De Kock found this horse himself in Ireland and has a share in him and last week he won for the fourth time in his career and a third time for the De Kock/Griffiths yard.
Mike said, “He’s a very progressive horse. He was just behind some good horses in Ireland and that last win (where he led and after being headed fought back courageously in testing going over 1600m) was his first run after gelding, so we’re expecting big improvement.”
Watch out for Nation’s Call at the Melbourne Cup meeting, where he runs in one of the lesser races.
Well Handicapped Back In Business Lands Wide Draw In Charity Mile
Back In Business cruises to a comfortable win in the Gr 2 Betway Jo’Burg Spring Challenge over 1450m (JC Photos)
The final declarations for the Gr 2 Allied Steelrode – Onamission Mile, which is to be run at Turffontein Standside on November 2, was made today and there is a full field of 16 runners plus three reserves.
A horse who could be well ahead of the handicapper is Back In Business, who is only merit rated 114. He actually ran way above that rating when winning the Gr 2 Betway Jo’Burg Spring Challenge, but could not be raised more than 8 points due to a condition of the race. The Joe Soma-trained William Longsword stalwart has drawn wide in 17 (which comes into 15 if there are no scratchings), but Muzi Yeni is an expert at overcoming such draws. Back In Business only has to carry 56kg, meaning he gets 7kg from Dave The King. Yeni replaces Rachel Venniker, who got the ride last time when Yeni went to ride in Kranji racecourse’s last ever meeting. Back In Business, who is a five-year-old with just 12 starts undr the belt, has never won over further than 1450m. However, he was not stopping last time and should handle the extra 150m.
Equus Horse Of The Year Dave The King will carry topweight of 63kg.
The race is a handicap with the benchmark being 52kg for a net 106 merit rating.
Dave The King’s merit rating of 128 is 22 points higher than 106, meaning 52kg + 11kg = 63kg.
Trainer Mike de Kock said it would be a preparation run for Dave The King with the L’Ormarins King’s Plate in mind. Considering he would have to give weight all around and is expected to come on from the run, he is unlikely to be bankered by many despite his top class ability over the trip.
Celtic Rumours won the Gr Betway Jo’Burg Spring Fillies And Mares Challenge beating the talented three-year-old Fiery Pegasus giving the latter 8kg and she could have a say in the finish, albeit from a tricky draw of 10 as it stands.
Gladatorian has the class to be a contender but a wide draw is against him.
Barbaresco should blossom this season and is also a contender despite a tricky draw.
The field is shown below:
1st R625000, 2nd R200000, 3rd R100000, 4th R50000, 5th R25000
ALLIED STEELRODE – ONAMISSION CHARITY MILE (Grade 2)
Open
WFA: 3yrs-7kgs 4yrs-0kgs
No Apprentice / Female Sex Allowance
| 1 | 8 | Dave The King | 63 | 128 | A | Richard Fourie | Mike de Kock | |
| 2 | 6 | Winchester Mansion | 61 | 124 | CA | Marco V’Rensburg | Brett Crawford | |
| 3 | 12 | Barbaresco | 60 | 122 | Ae | Gavin Lerena | J A Janse van Vuuren | |
| 4 | 15 | Gladatorian | 59 | 120 | T A | Tristan Godden | Stuart Ferrie | |
| 5 | 2 | Frances Ethel | 58 | 118 | PA | Kabelo Matsunyane | Brett Crawford | |
| 6 | 16 | Melech | 57.5 | 117 | T A | Serino Moodley | Roy Magner | |
| 7 | 19 | Gimmeanotherchance | 57 | 116 | BA | Craig Zackey | Mike de Kock | |
| 8 | 13 | Quasiforsure | 57 | 116 | T A | Athandiwe Mgudlwa | Peter Muscutt | |
| 9 | 3 | Silver Sanctuary | 57 | 116 | Ae | Raymond Danielson | Mike de Kock | |
| 10 | 9 | Hotarubi | 56.5 | 115 | TCA | Calvin Habib | Sean Tarry | |
| 11 | 1 | Litigation | 56.5 | 115 | TCA | Denis Schwarz | Sean Tarry | |
| 12 | 4 | Meridius | 56.5 | 115 | A | #Rachel Venniker | Tony Peter | |
| 13 | 17 | Back In Business | 56 | 114 | A | Muzi Yeni | Joe Soma | |
| 14 | 10 | Shoemaker | 54.5 | 111 | A | Diego De Gouveia | Mike de Kock | |
| 15 | 5 | Safe Passage | 53.5 | 109 | S | Malesela Katjedi | Mike de Kock | |
| 16 | 11 | Celtic Rumours | 52.5 | 107 | A | Philasande Mxoli | Sean Tarry | |
| 17 | 18 | Zinovi | 55.5 | 113 | A | Reserve 1 | Mike de Kock | |
| 18 | 14 | Let’s Go Now | 56 | 114 | BA | Reserve 2 | Sean Tarry | |
| 19 | 7 | Formagear | 53 | 108 | A | Reserve 3 | Peter Muscutt | |
| Same Trainer | ||||||||
| (1,7,9,14,15,17) (2,5) (8,19) (10,11,16,18) | ||||||||
SA Racing Has Lost A Ray Of Sunshine
Shaheen Shaw leads in the horse named after him, Hithemhardshunshine (Picture: Wayne Marks)
Shaheen Shaw passed away suddenly today and SA racing hence lost one of it’s most colourful and popular personalities.
The sad news came as a shock to the racing community as he was ever present.
Tributes about his love for horseracing, his entertaining eccentricity and his kindness and care for his fellow human beings were soon being spread over social media.
He made his name as a presenter for Tellytrack.
It was often stated that when he was on air turnover increased, such was his infectuous passion for the sport.
Hollywoodbets brought him back into the game a couple of years ago when giving him naming rights for one of their horses and he named the horse after his catch presenting phrase, “Hit Them Hard, Sunshine!” (the Hollywood Syndicate-owned son of What A Winter is called Hithemhardsunshine).
The horse turned out to be good and Shaheen’s love for the sport was reignited and led to him doing a tipping podcast on the Sporting Post platform.
The Sporting Post wrote a fitting tribute to him today (read below):
Let’s keep hitting them hard, Sunshines!
A man we are privileged to have known as a loyal friend of this great game and of the Sporting Post, a personal mate, and one of South African horseracing’s great characters, Shaheen Shaw, a husband, loving Dad and Grandad, passed away suddenly at the age of 55 at his home in Cape Town on Wednesday.
Cheers Shaheen (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
Shaheen’s best friend Rouvaun Smit was devastated to hear the news and labelled the legendary former Tellytrack betting turnover booster ‘a man amongst men’ and somebody he’d battle to replace.
“We spoke every day. I didn’t hear from him today. I have no words and my heart grieves for Rasheeda and Zaid. Horseracing has lost a part of its soul. He loved the game. He loved punters. He wanted everybody to be a winner. Which is what racing should be about. I am so sad today,” added an emotional Smit, who has faced his own challenges since a devastating life-changing accident in 2023.
Shaheen was our Sporting Post podcaster.
We spoke regularly. He didn’t suffer fools and had opinions from everything from Donald Trump to the Third Reich and the polytrack.
We know that Shaheen would not have wanted us to labour on history, or wax lyrical in predictable eulogical fashion, heaping praise and spewing forth adjectives. We are not going to do that. Safe to say, he will be sorely missed by an industry craving heroes.
We wrote years ago that Sunshine, as he was popularly known, was a natural larger-than-life infectious presence on the small screen and he built a cult following amongst punters and Tellytrack viewers over many years with his no-nonsense passion for finding the winners. His crazy scribbling in the formbook and his keen intellect and photographic memory for formlines, saw him providing information and entertainment, that has never been equalled. After him studio presenters went extinct.
Shaheen with Shane (right) and a punter from Hollywoodbets Bluff branch – July 2024
Shaheen provided his final splash of entertainment via the Hollywoodbets-sponsored A Shaw Thing podcast for what was to be his final racemeeting at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Wednesday 23 October 2024 – a largely unheralded seven race affair and the final flickering of the flame of passion that first saw the light of day almost a half century ago.
Shane Shaw was born in the Cape seaside town of Muizenberg on 19 June 1969 and, like many of us, was sick for the game from an age when we should probably have been focused on apples for our teachers and writing properly in those lined exercise books.
Just 30 odd days after he was born, Neil Armstrong became the first man to walk on the moon when the Apollo 11 landed and the legend took his first giant step for mankind. In many ways Shaheen was a groundbreaker in his own irreverent way.
Some eight years ago, he made a shift from the inside rail box-seat of a high-profile life in the fast lane as South African horseracing’s most popular and recognisable face to an angel of mercy on the Cape Flats. That was the geographical and emotional transition of Shaheen Shaw, who looked up into the glare of the Rivonia studio lights one day and decided that enough is enough.
He opted out to do something really meaningful with his life via the Gertrada Malgas Foundation.
Rasheeda and Shaheen Shaw at the Highveld Awards some years back (Pic – Supplied)
His wife of 33 years, Rasheeda Shaw told the Sporting Post on Wednesday evening that she had become concerned when she had not heard from him on Wednesday morning.
“The gardener and I went to investigate. We found him. I am shattered. He was not perfect. Who is perfect? We are shattered. He lived for his family. He lived for horseracing. There was no middle ground with Shaheen. I want to say thank you to Devin Heffer and the Hollywoodbets team. They gave him a reason to dream when starting the A Shaw Thing podcast. It gave Shaheen a sense of being, of dignity, and sense of contribution to a sport he loved. Shaheen will be buried in terms of Muslim rites. Thank you to everybody for the care and compassion and for allowing us to grieve privately,” Rasheeda told the Sporting Post on Wednesday evening.
The man who left the high-profile side of the game he loved for a variety of reasons found peace and fulfilment in sacrificing his ‘perks’ in life for the benefit of the multitude of the needy around him and with his podcast.
In November 2016 Shaheen and Rasheeda relocated from Johannesburg to Cape Town. Superior care and facilities for their youngest child, Zaid, adopted at birth and suffering from chronic Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS), was their chief motivation.
Shaheen and Zaid
Grassy Park became their life and Hollywoodbets Kenilworth and Hollywoodbets Durbanville his attractions and entertainment over the weekends.
Hollywoodbets Brand & Communications Manager Devin Heffer said that he didn’t quite know how to comprehend Shaheen’s passing.
“I remember following him and always enjoying his energy, and all the incredible stuff him and Rasheeda did with the Gertrada Malgas Foundation. That was when I first met him in person at Grassy Park. I felt privileged having been able to work with him for the last couple of years, when we had almost lost him to racing. Yes, he could be eccentric, and sometimes rub people the wrong way. And he sometimes he could have a chip on his shoulder. But jeepers he loved the game. He loved the thrill of a punt. He loved the hard luck stories and battle scars that came with hitting them hard. He certainly lived life to the fullest, and he will be missed by his friends, family and of course his fans. As Elton Jon said, ‘Don’t let the Sun go down on me’. RIP Shaheen.”
Shaheen giving back to the community via the Gertruida Malgas Foundation
Highveld commentator Nico Kritsiotis said that it was with great sadness that he conveyed his deepest sympathies to Shaheen’s family on his passing.
“To Rasheeda, Nooran, Aisha, Ebrahim and his beloved Zaydie, I send my heartfelt sorrow at the passing of Shaheen. Shaheen was a great friend and contemporary that I met in 1996 when I started presenting in Johannesburg. We had some wonderful years together and it was quite an event today as Neil Andrews, Alistair Cohen and myself were having lunch together for the first time in absolute ages when we heard the news. A great character of racing that will be missed. Sorry not to have been as close now as we were then, but his death signals the end of a great era. Rest peacefully good man. You were a pleasure to know and to work with for many years. You always stood out. I will always remember you.”
Racing media personality Andrew Bon suggested that ‘the Lord above get ready’.
“Hit them hard Sunshine. You will never ever be forgotten. Peace and strength to the family. A terrible loss to our land and our sport.”
Shaheen was the unofficial SP eye in the sky on racedays. Our whatsapp group was a source of infinite alternative insight – most of it unprintable – but raw and stark in it’s reality!
We haven’t done justice in this restricted space and time to his multitude of punting and racing stories. But what do we say from here, other than there’s racing at the Vaal on Thursday and let’s hit them hard, Sunshines!
Condolences to Rasheeda and the family. And to SA horseracing. We are all poorer today.
MHDSRIP.
Isivunguvungu And Beach Bomb Are In The Breeders Cup
Picture: Isivunguvungu winning on his USA debut.
Two South African-bred dual Gr 1 winners, the Narrow Creek Stud-bred and Hollywood Syndicate-owned What A Winter gelding Isivunguvungu and the Drakenstein Stud homebred Lancaster Bomber filly Beach Bomb, have both made it into the field for their respective target races at the iconic Breeders Cup meeting.
Isivunguvungu is in the Gr 1 Breeders Cup Turf Sprint over an ideal 5 furlong trip.
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE BREEDERS CUP TURF SPRINT FIELD
Beach Bomb is in the Gr 1 Breeders Cup Filly and Mare Turf over one and 3/8 miles (1900m).
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE BREEDERS CUP FILLY AND MARE TURF FIELD
Both horses are trained by Graham Motion.
Their jockeys are yet to be announced.
The Breeders Cup is at Del Mar racecourse this year and takes place on Friday November 1 and Saturday November 2..
DRF.com wrote the below article about the two South African “pre-entries” in the Breeders Cup.
Nicole Russo
The Thoroughbreds pre-entered in the Breeders’ Cup were bred in nine different countries – Argentina, Canada, Chile, France, Great Britain, Ireland, Japan, South Africa, and the United States. South Africa is among the countries seeking its first Breeders’ Cup win, and seeking to become a major player on the international stage.
The two South African-bred pre-entrants are Isivunguvungu in the Turf Sprint and Beach Bomb in the Filly and Mare Turf, both transferred to Graham Motion in the United States this year. If both start next week, it would be the second U.S. start for Isivunguvungu and third U.S. start for Beach Bomb, and they would double the number of their home country’s Breeders’ Cup starters. The two prior were Spook Express, second in the 2001 Filly and Mare Turf, and Super Brand, ninth in the 2004 Filly and Mare Turf. Both had several starts in North America prior to their Breeders’ Cup tilts, with Spook Express running in the country for several years.
Isivunguvungu – which translates to “storm” in Zulu – is one of 12 horses from an overflow 20 pre-entrants safely holding a spot for the Turf Sprint, in which he would face one of Breeders’ Cup weekend’s strongest favorites. Cogburn, who set a North American record in his virtuoso performance in the Grade 1 Jaipur, has been untouchable in three starts this year. He is the 2-1 favorite on Brad Free’s early morning line for Daily Racing Form. Bradsell, at 3-1, leads the European standouts Cogburn will have to face along with the South African colorbearer in a field with international flair.
A Breeders’ Cup score would be another occasion for celebration for South Africa. For more than a decade, export regulations from the European Union, mandating a convoluted, multi-country journey requiring several months of quarantine and time out of training, effectively choked off the flow of horses from the country to major international races. After years of deliberation – extended by the COVID-19 pandemic – EU officials gave the go-ahead in March to resume direct shipment of horses from South Africa to Europe. South African officials hope that other jurisdictions will follow suit – Hong Kong officials were vocal in their support of the changes – and that it will be easier to showcase the country’s horses on a global stage, thus attracting new interest in its bloodstock industry.
Prior to that ruling, Isivunguvungu and Beach Bomb, pathfinders to gauge how South Africa’s stars will stack up on an international stage, were already on their way to the United States and underwent a two-month quarantine before joining Motion at his Fair Hill base in Maryland.
The 6-year-old Isivunguvungu, a two-time Group 1 winner sprinting on turf when trained by Peter Muscott, got on the work tab in late June, and made his U.S. bow in the Da Hoss on Sept. 7 at Colonial Downs – the race Nobals used as a springboard to his 2023 Turf Sprint win. Isivunguvungu got a ground-saving trip, took over at the top of the stretch, and held on for a neck victory. The gelding, who has now won 7 of 16 lifetime starts, looks like he is thriving, with four straight bullet works after that win.
“I think we are going to see a lot more South African horses, especially after the performance of this horse,” Motion said after the Da Hoss. “South African horses by nature are very tough. Huge credit to Hollywood Syndicate for taking a gamble on bringing him over here. I feel very lucky to have him.”
Soetendal's Big Draft At The Breeze Up/Unbroken Sale
Lot 56 is an Erupt filly who is a half sister to four winners of multiple races, including black type performer GOOD RHYTHM, and she is related to facile Gr1 Dubai World Cup winner LAUREL RIVER (Picture: Supplied)
Soetendal has a strong draft for this year’s CRS Breeze Up and Unbroken Sale, and is most fortunate once again to be consigning on behalf of some of the top stud farms, individual breeders and private clients alike. There are some mouthwatering pedigrees, and good specimens to match, so hopefully the sale will attract a strong buyers’ bench.
We are excited to be offering four colts by first season War Front stallion, Declarationofpeace. War Front has had great success in South Africa through his sons, Fire Away and Lancaster Bomber, and we hope to see Declarationofpeace follow in their footsteps. He himself was a top class two year old, winning the Breeders Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint in electrifying style .
Promising graduates of our 2023 draft are led by the exciting One Stripe, with multiple other winners already making their mark.
I am also happy to announce that the whole draft, with the exception of only two, have been vaccinated against African Horse Sickness in 2024, so prospective buyers can move them anywhere in the country with peace of mind.
On behalf of Avontuur Stud:
Lot 30 Black Eagle (colt by Rafeef – Pan Amm by Jetmaster): a beautifully balanced, striking grey colt from a 6-time Listed winning mare – all five siblings are winners with two having earned black type.
On behalf of Varsfontein Stud:
Lot 6 Dancewithdiamonds (filly by What a Winter – Heart’s Content by Jetmaster): strong, racy filly, a must see. All four siblings are winners, from the fantastic JALBERRY family.
Lot 28 Quicksmart (colt by Gimmethegreenlight – On Her Toes by Western Winter): Brother to two black type performers, from a Grade 1 winning mare. Needless to say, we expect a good breeze up from this very attractive and classy colt.
Lot 32 Peace Broker (Master of my Fate – Peace Flower by Ideal World): this is a confident, racy and precocious colt from a top family (Quickwood, Nightingale, Rainbow Lorikeet).
Lot 52 Riviera (colt by Vercingetorix – Victorian Secret by Captain Al): beautifully put together colt who is a full brother to GOLDEN SICKLE. From the family of Mystic Spring, no need to say more!
Lot 60 Magnus the Good (colt by Erik the Red – Bushiri by Master of my Fate): well-grown, scopey son of promising first season sire Erik the Red. From a winning half-sister to BEATABOUTTHEBUSH and TRUE MASTER, he shows ground covering action.
Lot 65 Olive Oyl (filly by Vercingetorix – Cousin Annie by Kahal): WITHDRAWN
On behalf of Lammerskraal:
Lot 23 Mighty Mary (filly by Querari – Mary Hinge by Second Empire): quality filly showing plenty, with a good constitution, as you’d expect from a full sister to MARYAH (Grade 2 winner at 2), with half sister MARY O also a black type performer.
Lot 33 Winter Snap (What a Winter – Perfect Air by Dynasty): a ¾ brother in blood to MAKE IT SNAPPY, he’s a powerful, progressive colt.
Soetendal (as Agent):
Lot 8 Unnamed (colt by Vercingetorix – Hollywoodboulevard by Street Cry): half brother to five winners including ON THAT BOULEVARD, this colt moves beautifully and is developing into one of the stand outs of our draft.
Lot 10 Unnamed (filly by Gimmethegreenlight – Imperial Wish by Silvano): half sister to Listed winner LUNA WISH, this tough, eye catching filly has a deep girth and looks speedy.
Lot 11 Unnamed (Gimmethegreenlight – Imperious Star by Navarone): WITHDRAWN
Lot 12 Scandalize (filly by Master of my Fate – In A Huff by Judpot): from a winning half-sister to THIRD RUNWAY and KINDA WONDERFUL, this filly has a ground covering action and looks early.
Lot 13 Unnamed (Captain of All – Jet Set Model by Jetmaster): Rangy filly with scope, she will keep improving as she matures. From a winning half-sister to Joshua’s Mistress.
Lot 17 Unnamed (colt by One World – Lady Wylie by Wylie Hall): the dam’s first runner is already a winner, and this neat colt looks to be hot on his heels with a spectacular action, don’t miss this gallop!
Lot 22 The Big Bang (One World – Magic Penny by Silvano): very classy, well put together son of One World, he’s half brother to PRETTY PENNY and four other winners, this is a prolific family.
Lot 26 Matroosberg (What a Winter – Noor by Dynasty): bred on the same cross as Cape Town Noir and Humdinger, this powerful, well-grown colt has good substance and scope. He is half brother to two winners including Grade 2 performer EVENING PRIMROSE.
Lot 27 Unnamed (Rafeef – Nordic Light by Warm White Night): From the prolific Normandy Stud family of NORDIC BREEZE, RUSHING WIND and RIO QUERARI, this colt has an exceptionally good walk, we expect him to float down the track.
Lot 31 Gallic King (Vercingetorix – Patricia’s Gift by Master of my Fate): this beautifully put together colt from the family of JJ THE JET PLANE oozes quality and has an elastic action.
Lot 34 Unnamed (colt by Gimmethegreenlight – Princess Milo by Fort Wood): an attractive, muscular colt, half brother to four winners, the dame is a half to SLUMDOGMILLIONAIRE. CYCAD and TRADE SPECIALIST.
Lot 37 The Muffin Man (colt by Rafeef – Respectable Lady by Kabool): a half brother to the ultra quick BOLD RESPECT as well as SUPER SILVANO, this handsome colt is bound to attract a lot of interest.
Lot 40 Unnamed (colt by Rafeef – Sails Set by Captain Al): a classy colt with substance and a good walk, he has a low sprinting action. He has an exceptional temperament and always gives his best.
Lot 41 SupposeYou’veHeard (colt by Querari – Sally Called by Captain Al): bred on the same Querari / Captain Al cross as recent Grade 3 Matchem Stakes winner, Questioning, this colt is a precocious and speedy sort.
Lot 43 Unnamed (Vercingetorix – Secretariat’s Girl by Captain Al): from the family of LEEWARD and MELTING MOMENTS, this filly has just thrived and improved through her preparation. She has plenty of class about her, and looks quick.
Lot 44 Leif Erikson (Erik the Red – Secret Risk by London News): this colt is a 3/4 brother to UNDERCOVER AGENT, and there is a lot to like about his fluent action and good constitution – he takes his work very well, and has an excellent temperament to go with it.
Lot 45 Surreal Moment (filly by Erupt – Shastina by Dynasty): From a winning half sister to JANOOBI, this strong filly has a beautiful head, deep girth, and good low action – a lot to like about her.
Lot 48 Raffish Trend (filly by Rafeef – Trendy Babe by Lion Heart): an elegant filly with a superb action, she will go from strength to strength as she matures. The dam is a half sister to TIGER’S TOUCH and has already produced four winners.
Lot 49 Unnamed (filly by Gimmethegreenlight – Trinity House by Captain Al): From a Grade 3 winning half sister to VERCINGETORIX, this blue-blooded, filly is bred on the same cross as Sandringham Summit and Proceed. I’m expecting an excellent breeze up from her.
Lot 51 Masteronthemoon (colt by Master of my Fate – Uptothemoon by Victory Moon): From a multiple black-type performing mare, this long striding, athletic colt has plenty of presence.
Lot 54 Zen State (colt by Erupt – Zeta Jones by Silvano): from a ¾ sister to MARINARESCO, MARINA and BULSARA, this straightforward colt is a trainer’s dream and has not put a foot wrong and will just continue to improve.
Lot 55 Dream Boat (One World – Africa Blue by Horse Chestnut): big, strong filly from the fantastic CIRCLE OF LIFE family, she’s going to develop into a magnificent filly.
Lot 56 Unnamed (Erupt – At A Great Rate by Arch): Half sister to four winners of multiple races including black type performer GOOD RHYTHM, and related to facile Gr1 Dubai World Cup winner LAUREL RIVER, it’s hard to fault this filly. She’s muscular, thrives on work, is honest and works well.
Lot 57 WITHDRAWN
Lot 58 Unnamed (filly by Rafeef – Bell Tower by Ideal World): with Rafeef fillies constantly in the headlines, it’s exciting to be offering this big, scopey filly. She has good substance and constitution, and is already working well although she will continue to improve as she matures.
Lot 63 Half Moon Island (colt by Oratorio – Cat’s Game by Black Minnaloushe) (Pictured Above): tall colt who stands over ground, he has an exceptional action and is a ¾ brother to CANADIAN SUMMER to boot!
Lot 64 Midnight Miracle (filly by Master of my Fate – Cause and Effect by What a Winter): tough, racy, quick filly, she’s been forward throughout her prep. The dam’s first foal is already a winner at two.
UNBROKEN SECTION:
Lot 76 Unnamed (colt by Declarationofpeace – Jeweller’s Joy by Trippi): From a 3-time winning black type mare, this is an athletic colt who stands over ground.
Lot 78 Unnamed (What a Winter – Kitoko by Montjeu): Bred on the same What a Winter / Montjeu cross as CLOUDS UNFOLD, this is a well-grown filly with a good walk and plenty of scope. The dam is 100% winners to runners, from the family of TOURNESOL, SIX PERFECTIONS.
Lot 88 Blizzardboy (colt by Declarationofpeace – Off Piste by Western Winter): Bred on the same cross as Declaration of War, grandam ZIRCONEUM was a multiple Grade 1 performer. Half sister OFF LIMITS won again last weekend.
Lot 113 Unnamed (Declarationofpeace – West Ridge by Tiger Ridge) (Pictured Above): there is plenty of speed through the first four dams in this colt’s pedigree, and he certainly looks to be precocious – he’s a beautifully put together colt and racy too.
Lot 120 Captain Lightning (colt by Declarationofpeace – Bold Speed by Captain Al): This colt should be another early type, with the dam a half sister to the top class RIVER QUERARESS, a Grade 1 performer at two years old.
Lot 124 Driving Snow (What a Winter – Driving Miss Daisy): The first foal of multiple Grade 1 performer DRIVING MISS DAISY, this neat colt looks speedy and early – his dam won at 2.
Sandown's Super Five For The Breeze Up/Unbroken Sale
Lot 70 is a Pathfork filly out of an Ashaawes half-sister to Gr 2 Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas winner Lady Of Power (Picture: CRS)
Cape Racing Sales Breeze Up & Unbroken 2yo Sale
The Armitage family have been in the thoroughbred breeding game for a long time and continue to punch way above their weight at Sandown Stud. This high-quality, boutique farm sends five youngsters to market at the CRS Breeze Up and Unbroken 2yo Sale, scheduled for Sunday, 27 October at Hollywoodbets Durbanville.
James Armitage has utilized a selection of good value sires – Pathfork, Potala Palace, Rafeef, Elusive Fort and Futura. Sandown also acts as agent for Lot 110, a filly by new sire Soqrat, out of the Var mare, Varachino. She has produced the very highly thought of Teagans Champ who has won three from three; Al Jabath who won two from three and was placed 2nd in his third start, and her full brother I Salute You who is a winner and placed from only 3 starts.
The Pathfork filly is Lot 70. She is out of Glamourous Life, a half-sister to Gauteng Fillies Guineas winner, Lady of Power. Third dam, Duchess Daba was trained by Geoff Woodruff to win the Gr1 November Handicap and the SA Fillies Guineas.
Rafeef has already made an impact with SW’s Thunderstruck, Aragosta, Master Archie, William Robertson, Mrs Browning and Frances Ethel across a wide distance range. He is responsible for Lot 79, a bay colt ex Lady Al – best of her progeny to date is 8x winner Winter Waves, by speed sire, What a Winter. An update – Lot 79’s half-sister Warrior Royal won on Sunday, so she has won and been placed second from 3 starts.
Lots 85 is a bay filly, Royal Style by Potala Palace ex multiple-winning Second Empire mare Miss Scaramanga. Potala Palace has shown he can drop the bomb – Red Palace, Katak and Singforafa are his Stakes winning flag bearers.
Elite Squad is an Elusive Fort colt ex Sound the Flute. She produced Majestic Mozart, narrowly denied in the Gr1 Summer Cup at Turffontein and Bonnie Prince who won 7x in South Africa and Mauritius. Elusive Fort, of course, is well established as a rock-solid sire able to deliver the goods at reasonable prices, think of the Hollywoodbets Durban July ace, Kommetdieding and the outstanding filly, Siren’s Call from his haul of 17 SW’s.
Futura seems like a clear influence for stamina. He has a filly out of Parade Leader mare, Tuscan Treasure. Lot 109’s page features the second dam, Akinfeet, famous for throwing Cape Town Noir, Champion Miler in SA in 2013/14. San Gimignano can be viewed in stable A32.
James Armitage is readily approachable to handle any queries about Sandown’s stock. His contact details are 072 680 3549 or else via email, james@sandownstud.co.za
ENDS
For further information, contact
Vicky Minott vicky@caperacing.co.za
Janine van Blerk janine@caperacing.co.za
Phone: 021 700 1600
Social media
Facebook: @caperacingsales
Instagram: @caperacingsales
Twitter: @CapeRacingSales
Website: www.caperacingsales.co.za
Ambiance Send Quality Not Quantity To Breeze Up Sale
Offers For Gr 1-winning October Morn - Rules Of Engagement
October Morn, pictured winning the Gr 2 Cartier Sceptre Stakes, is on the market and the rules of engagement for anybody who wants to make an offer are shown in detail below (Picture: Wayne Marks)
CLICK HERE TO WATCH VIDEO ABOUT THE SALE OF OCTOBER MORN
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE PDF ABOUT TERMS OF ENGAGEMENT FOR OFFERS
Today's Question
The picture gives a clue to the answer (image: pastthewire.com).
Question: USA-breds have won 13 of the 16 Gr 1 Breeders Cup Sprints contested to date. Who are the foreign-bred horses to have won this race?
FIELDS, Thursday 24 OCTOBER
Vaal
Today’s Question Answer
The Irish-bred Choisir gelding Obviously was the first foreign-bred horse to win the Breeders Cup Turf Sprint, doing so at the age of 8 at 2016. However, only the first three of this horse’s run were in Ireland, the rest were in the USA.
The British-bred mare Belvoir Bay (Equiano) won it as a six-year-old in 2019. Only her first five starts were in her home country of England.
The British-bred filly Glass Slippers (Dream Ahead) won it in 2020 (Pictured Above).
