Turf Talk Newsletter – 23 September, 2025

The Sharon Kotzen-trained Red William gives Richard Fourie a four-timer and William Longsword a double (Pauline Herman Photography) 

Richard Fourie has been in devastating form and a four-timer on the Fairview poly today saw him just one win behind Craig Zackey on the national jockeys log.

Fourie had had just eight wins by the end of August to Zackey’s 19, but he has had 24 wins already this month at a strike rate of 29.27%.

His 32 overall wins have been at a strike rate of 26.89%

 Zackey is on 33 win at 14.29%

Serino Moodley is in third place on 26 wins at 16.56%.

Calvin Habib is on 25 wns at 13.59%.

Muzi Yeni is next best on 23 wins at 12.85%.

Three of Fourie’s wins were for Alan Greeff

Emanuel Kaknis sent out a double today and Gavin Smith and Charles Ndlovu both scored individual doubles too.

Greeff is already on 27 wins for the season at 19.01%.

Gavin Smith is on 15 wins at 9.68%.

Emanuel Kaknis is on four wins at 6.78%.

Charles Ndlovu is on three wins at 6.52%.

Fourie’s run today began in the second race when the Greeff-trained What A Winter gelding Winter Emeralds was dropped out to last from draw six of six in a 1600m race and after relaxing well in the running he stormed home to a comfortable 2,50 length victory.

In the third race over 1200m in a Middle Stakes event he was aboard the unbeaten Greeff-trained four-year-old Canford Cliffs filly Baie Mooi, but after starting favourite against the boys at  5/4 she was never traveling well and finished last in the five horse field. She is better than that and can bounce back.

In the fifth race over 1400m Fourie dropped Greeff-trained Erik The Red filly Augusto Rosso in to midfield in the eight runner field and from there she found a strong  finish to win by a head in a result which saw the first eight separated by 0,90 lengths.

In the sixth over 1400m the Greeff-trained Rafeef filly Exquisite was having her second start in the East Cape since arriving from Cape Town and outclassed them to win by half-a-length.

In the seventh over 2000m the Sharon Kotzen-trained Red William finished strongly to score an individual hattrick and he gave William Longsword a double on the day and Fourie his four-timer.

Fourie failed by a quarter of a length to make it five in the last race in which the strong-finishing Kaknis-trained San Quintin justified support from 14/1 into 7/2 and gave Ndlovu his double.

Mike Moon (The Citizen)

Japan is running short of jockeys and the Japan Racing Association (JRA) says the temptations of cell phones are partly to blame.

No new apprentice jockeys will graduate from the JRA’s highly regarded jockey academy in 2026 and a finger has been pointed at the inability of the young learners to comply with strict rules about use of mobile phones and maintaining their weight.

The academy has produced riders every year for decades, but four of this year’s seven trainees have already dropped out, while the remaining three have been told to repeat the course after failing to meet the association’s standards.

In a statement, the JRA said: “The racing school has traditionally educated its students on not only technical aspects but also on the importance of observing and thoroughly adhering to laws, regulations and compliance.

“But the truth is that the number of students who passed the 42nd jockey class has now dropped to zero due to dropouts and extensions to the training period. We take this responsibility very seriously.”

‘Jockey jail’
All jockeys in Japan must go into lockdown isolation on Friday evenings before a weekend fixture and cannot use their phones until after racing – even to talk to their families. This regime is commonly referred to as “jockey jail”.

These airwave silence rules are stricter than those in many other racing countries – though all have some form of phone restrictions for jockeys on race days.

In South Africa, the sanction is for the duration of a meeting and phone signal jammers have been used in weighing rooms.

The JRA insists its measures are necessary to guard against betting corruption, but some see it as a deterrent for young riders hooked on their screens.

One of Japan’s most prominent female jockeys, Nanako Fujita, shocked her many fans when she ended her career in 2024 in the midst of a phone rules controversy.

Another high profile case was jockey Motoki Mizunuma who got a nine-month suspension for using his smartphone on a race day in 2024. He duped officials by giving them his phone case, then used the device to call colleagues at a training centre, make restaurant reservations and watch TikToks.

When Mizunuma rode a winner on his return from the ban, his retained trainer Kazuhiro Kato posted on X: “Even during the suspension, he still gave up his days off to ride at the ranch every week and trained without missing a thing. It was 100% Motoki who did something wrong and got suspended, but the sun is watching him work hard and not give up.”

Decline in numbers
A further five jockeys have since been found to have breached rules over smartphone use.

Applications for the academy course have declined sharply, from a peak of 761 in 1997 to just 111 in 2020, reports The Times of London.

The JRA has since raised the minimum rider weight limit from 49kg to 51.5kg and now permits the use of contact lenses – changes that helped academy applications climb back to 192 last year.

Meanwhile, education authorities around the world have been introducing phone bans in schools over the past year.

People educated before the advent of cell phones are often amazed to hear that children have been allowed to carry electronic devices around during the school day for decades.

Arguments for phones in the classroom include that children feel safer with parents or friends a button-press away, that removing this “lifeline” makes kids anxious, and that access to Google means learners can look up boring old facts and rather focus on developing their critical thinking capabilities.

Back on the racing theme, many say these arguments are horse manure.

Cafe Culture wins the Gr 2 Post Merchants last year at Hollywoodbets Greyville (Candiese Lenferna Photography)

The Gr 3 Race Coast Matchem Stakes over 1400m at Hollywoodbets Durbanville is often used as a springboard for serious Cape Summer Season campaigners and a quality field lines up on Saturday.

There is also a good field for the Gr 3 Diana Stakes over the same course and distance.

Sugar Mountain has blossomed into a top class 1400m to mile horse and this Candice Bass-trained gelding’s age of seven is not a concern because he is by the late great Silvano, whose progeny get better and better with age.

Witnesses to that have been Mike Fullard and James Drew, who owned the luckless 2015 Durban July runner up,  six-year-old Silvano gelding Punta Arenas. The long-time racing partners have had over 450 wins together and could get one closer to 500 on Saturday with the Lucinda Woodruff-trained Cafe Culture. This Var five-year-old gelding has speed  and a fine turn of foot and he stays 1400m, so he should go close from pole position and he could prevent Sugar Mountain from winning.

Sugar Mountain jumps from draw three and will make a bold bid as his three successive wins during the winter were authoritative.

Questioning jumped from draw nine when winning this race last season. He now has draw seven and has Richard Fourie up so he should make a bold bid, although he will have to bounce back from a bit of a disappointing KZN campaign.

Three-year-old Aristocratic carries 50kg plus 1kg overweight for Serino Moodley, who is in fine form, and from a good draw this horse could show himself to be yet another Dean Kannemeyer-trained Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas candidate. He is inexperienced but has already shown himself to have a fine turn of foot.

Underworld should stay on resolutely from a handy position if things work out well from draw six.

Absolutely Yes has some class and will enjoy the course and distance, but he does have a tough draw.

Let It Be Said will have come on from his disappointing last run and from a good draw he could be dangerous as he got within 1,50 lengths of the classy Garrix in the Gr 3 Variety Club Mile and he only has 2,45 lengths to find on Sugar Mountain.

Those are the runners who look to make the most appeal in what should be an intriguing race.

The field for the Race Coast Matchem is shown below:

It is hard to look beyond The Kannemeyer-trained Princess Of Gaul in the Diana Stakes as she has created a big impression in her two wins in two starts. However, she nevertheless has a tough task.

The Justin Snaith pair Swiatek and She’s My World have the class to be involved, although the latter has to overcome the widest drw of all.

The field for the Diana Stakes is shown below:

Kanaal Skaater has been tipped to win the seventh (Candiese Lenferna Photography)

Hollywoodbets Greyville Wednesday Forguides And Selections

R1 Summary: PINETTI (5) was a beaten favourite last time out when trying further. Back to a more suitable trip. GRAND FORCE (3) is seldom far back and has run well over course and distance. With a 4kg claimer up he will be competitive. CAPTAIN FRANK (6) had to negotiate a wide draw in his poly debut and can improve. SENOR RESFRIO (4) showed up well last run on the turf and may be coming to hand. (Andrew Harrison: 5-3-6-4).

R2 Summary: XIPHOS (4) gets first time blinkers and was much improved on the poly last run. He should go close again. SOVEREIGN COMMAND (8) has struggled to shed his maiden but has come well of late and finished ahead of Xiphos last time out. There should not be much between the two. HIGHER LOVE (9) is way better than has last run and has a money chance. QUINCY TOWN (6) showed improved form over a mile last run, his first on the poly and this trip could be more to his liking. (Andrew Harrison: 4-8-9-6).

R3 Summary: CAPRICIOUS MISS (1) was much improved first up on the poly from a tricky draw. A repeat can see her home. LOVE THE USA (9) is lightly raced but has found good market support in the past. Her best effort has been over this distance and is a big runner. BALTIC ASSAYER (3) raced to a big lead before fading late over 1800m. She may be good enough to stay the distance over this shorter trip. ADA LOVELACE (10) was much improved second time out. She should come on further and rates a winning chance. (Andrew Harrison: 1-9-10-3).

R4 Summary: NEXT OF KIN (5) was much improved in first time cheek pieces. He meets a modest field and can go one better. TAKEYOURBESTSHOT (10) has the widest draw to contend with but has been runner-up at his last three on the poly and can go one better. Stable companion BINGELELAMZALWANE (6) has shown some ability and has a money chance. BLACK PLATINA (3) has shown some fair form on the poly. He has a chance if finding his best form. (Andrew Harrison: 5-10-6-3).

R5 Summary: Wide open handicap. EL REY VIENE (3) is back over what looks to be his preferred surface. His last win was over course and distance and he is only four-points up in the ratings. SEND ME (2) was not far back in stronger company last run. He appears to have come to hand again. RUN TO RIO (1) has the best of the draw and was rewarded for consistency last time out. However, he does seem better on the grass. Stable companion KING’S ISLAND (4) has been coming down in the handicap and with a 4kg claimer up he could be dangerous. (Andrew Harrison: 3-2-1-4).

R6 Summary: Apprentice races are not always easy to predict but SPECTACULAR (2) goes well over course and distance and with a 4kg claimer aboard he looks well in. There should not be much between STAR OF THE FUTURE (5) and THE WOLF (3) a head separating them at the line when last they met. Frank Robinson’s charge has last seasons champion apprentice Brevan Plaatjies aboard which could give him the edge over his Qatari colleague. SHINY BOB (4) should get a good ride from James Lihaba and his experience can count. (Andrew Harrison: 2-5-3-4).

R7 Summary: Competitive handicap. KANAAL SKATER (6) was a recent maiden winner but has come good since arriving in the province and does look progressive. SUPER FAST (5) is due a change of luck after a string of runners-up berths, his last two over course and distance. PREEMPTIVE STRIKE (3) has many miles on the clock but seldom runs a bad race. He looks to be one of the standouts in this line-up. INTREPID (8) is another veteran. He took on stronger last run but does look suspect over this trip. (Andrew Harrison: 6-5-3-8).

R8 Summary: Many in with chances. MOJO MAN (3) took on stronger last time out and was narrowly beaten. He has improved in blinkers and should give another good account. RAINBOW REWARD (2) has been knocking at the door over course and distance. He has a plum draw. BOURBON WARRIOR (10) has the widest draw but is back over his preferred surface and is due another success. QUANDARY (8) switches to the poly but has been consistent of late and is over his preferred trip. (Andrew Harrison: 3-2-10-8).

R9 Summary: Competitive handicap. YANNAKIS (6) has always been well thought of by his stable but has had a myriad of problems. He seems to be over them and can follow up. LOU LOU THE LEGEND (7) has his third run after a break. He goes well on the poly. CATAVAR (8) has been in good form over shorter. The stretch over an extra furlong is a concern but he does have a useful apprentice aboard. UNITED NATION (11) has his first run for his new stable since arriving from the Cape where he did not have great form. However, he meets a modest field here and is on to watch. (Andrew Harrison: 6-7-8-11).

From Second Choice To First Lady

In addition to the Springboks’ historic first World Cup Victory, 1995 was memorable for the fiery red filly that blazed across our turf that season – her name was Harry’s Charm.

Read Charl Pretorius’ Off The Record column about Harry Charm

‘We knew he was a very good horse from the start really’.

At The Races

Trainer Richard Fahey hailed Wootton Bassett an “incredible sire and incredible horse” following his untimely death at the age of 17.

North Yorkshire-based Fahey guided the son of Iffraaj to victory in each of his five juvenile starts 15 years ago, a run which included back-to-back sales wins at York and Doncaster and was rounded off with a Group One triumph in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere on Arc weekend in Paris.

Coolmore Australia announced his death on Tuesday and Fahey, who was attending the September yearling sales in Ireland, told the PA news agency: “It’s horrendous news, not good at all. We were only a small part of it, but it was a great journey from rags to riches, from being a racehorse to becoming a stallion.

“It’s the people who looked after him that you feel for, the Coolmore team and everyone involved with him directly and the people who cared for him along the way.

“I know our yard is sad this morning.”

Wootton Bassett was bought by Fahey’s team as a yearling for a relatively modest fee of £46,000, but it did not take the trainer long to realise he had a potential star on his hands.

“We knew he was a very good horse from the start really,” he added.

“We cheated a bit as we went for the sales races and took the easier option, but the Lagardere was always going to be his race.

“At the time you were getting maybe £200,000 for winning those sales races, which was a lot of money in those days.

“We took the easy route, but we always knew he was a Group horse and for him to win the Lagardere was fantastic, it was a great day.”

Although Wootton Bassett did not fulfil his potential on the racecourse as a three-year-old, he enjoyed a meteoric rise during his hugely successful second career as a stallion.

Having initially stood in France for a fee that dropped to as low as €4,000 at one stage, he went on to produce French Derby, Irish Champion and Champion Stakes hero Almanzor and a number of other top-class horses, prompting the Coolmore operation to secure his services in 2020.

A starting stud fee of €100,000 for his new team continued to sky rocket as he went on to produce King Of Steel, Whirl, Al Riffa and Henri Matisse to name but a few, meaning this year he was commanding €300,000 for every mare that paid him a visit.

Fahey said: “From day one what he did to the mares in France – he improved pretty ordinary mares – and then his whole career just got unbelievable and he was only really just getting going.

“Even last weekend he had two-year-olds winning in France, Ireland and England who all look nice horses and could be anything.

“He’s been an incredible sire and an incredible horse and he was a good-minded, kind horse.

“I feel for everybody involved and everybody that knew the horse, today will be sad – he was that sort of horse.”

How many times was the July run as a “substitute July”?

The picture gives a clue to the answer