Turf Talk Newsletter – 24 October, 2025

Picture: The Equator (Gavin Lerena) winning at Turffontein on 2 August. (JC Photos)

A lot has happened since Willem Ackerman and Advocate Nigel Riley bought The Equator at the Tattersalls Sale at Newmarket almost exactly one year ago, including a win by his half-sister Lake Victoria (Frankel) in the Grade 1 Breeders Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf just three weeks after the sale was concluded.

The Equator (Galileo) truly has the world’s most exclusive thoroughbred blood flowing in his veins and the partnership would have thanked their lucky stars they were able to come home with this handsome entire. His pedigree guarantees a promising career at stud whatever happens at Turffontein on Saturday when he has his final prep run for the 2025 Betway Summer Cup, or in the Cup itself.

The Equator flopped on his Greyville debut, a run on Durban July day that came too soon after he arrived on South African soil, but trainer Tony Peter and his team have handled him with extra patience since. He won a Pinnacle Stakes in early August in impressive style, was given another break and Peter said: “He has only now fully settled down and as a result is improving and looking very well. He won impressively on hard ground, will be better suited to the sting out of the ground so we gave him time off after his win.”

The import put up a good piece of fast work at his home track earlier this week and Peter commented: “The Equator is doing well and if he wins his prep run his merit rating won’t be affected. He’ll enjoy the sting out of the ground after the rain we’ve had and should go close, but our aim has always been the big race and we want to have him spot-on for that.”

Peter said that jockey Gavin Lerena had helped him to find Saturday’s Graduation Plate, but that Lerena has not yet been confirmed as his Cup rider. In the reigning Champion jockey’s absence, a very able replacement has been found in Richard Fourie, whose feedback will be most valuable, post-race.

Peter felt that Parisian Walkway (rated a point higher and at his best course and distance) would be The Equator’s main rival on Saturday.

BELOW: VIDEO REPLAY OF THE EQUATOR’S EXERCISE GALLOP THIS WEEK

RCS OCTOBER 2-y-o SALE

Here is the link for the live stream for the sale on Saturday, 25 October:

https://youtube.com/live/R6tfC_fdrF0?feature=share

THE AUCTION STARTS AT 5PM, AFTER THE RACE MEETING, AT DURBANVILLE

Picture: Golden Palm strides away to win her fifth of six career starts. (Pauline Herman).

“If that didn’t give you gooseflesh, I don’t know what you were watching!” enthused 4Racing’s Nadine Low Ah Kee in response to three-year-old Golden Palm’s breath-taking win in the Listed Racehorse Owners Association Stakes over 1600m at Fairview.

Race caller Naqeeb Munshi exclaimed, “You can’t put a price on perfection!”

They were both 100% right. Every indivdual on course, and racing fans at home, expected Golden Palm to deliver another noteworthy performance, but this was even better than expected. She displayed her trademark lightning turn of foot and sped away to win by 6.75-lengths, wholly unextended. She is the real deal, for sure, so good she’s scary, and trainer Alan Greeff’s post-race assessment that he ‘knows what he has left to work with’, means that he is yet to get to top end of this 12-cylinder racing machine.

Jockey Richard Fourie was as complimentary as English in its well-spoken form allows. He said: “Golden Palm was breath-taking, scintillating. She’s a star. I don’t have much more to say.” He noted that she was still green and “looking around at everything”, but professional all the same, suggesting that he was tempted to put the pedal down when she changed gears at the 250m-mark, but chose to take a soft hold in favour of enjoying his already thrilling ride.

Greeff confirmed that Golden Palm was Cape-bound, with the Grade 1 Fillies Guineas on the rader, and expressed the hope that he could pick the right races so that he can keep Golden Palm and his other two champion fillies, Direct Hit and Anotherdanceforme, apart.

Racing is known for being the great leveller, and many a word has been eaten by many an expert, but Golden Palm could be a filly of a lifetime, and every minute spent watching her will make a memory etched in pure gold. Long may these great moments last that we are privileged to witness.

Industrialstrength is one of the fancied runners in Race 7 over 1600m. (Wayne Marks).

Race 1

2 WILLIAM’S WOMAN stayed on beautifully for second behind Calanque at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on the 27th of September, she has no weight on her back for this Maiden Plate on Saturday, and she has a good draw, there is absolutely no doubt that she will go close to winning. 3 DIGBY never runs a bad race, he ran fourth behind Gold Giboski last time, he was drawn poorly on that occasion and still managed to finish just under three lengths behind the winner, he will go very close here from a neat draw, include him into all bets. 4 MOODY BLUE ran a cracker behind Caribbean Gold on the 5th of October, he caught the eye late for second when finishing just under two lengths behind the winner, he is still improving, on his best form, he could certainly be dangerous in the finish. 5 SIMBINE needed his last run on the 5th of October, it was his first run in the Western Cape at Hollywoodbets Durbanville, he should improve nicely. (Brandon Bailey: 2 – 3 – 4 – 5)

Race 2

2 ONE DANCE ran a terrific race behind Eisteddfod on the 27th of September at Hollywoodbets Durbanville, she was doing some good work late for second from a bad draw on that occasion, she is super consistent, the step up in trip to 1500m should be no problem at all, from a neat draw, she will be competitive. 10 LILTING SONG improved nicely to run a good race behind Red Beryl on the 5th of October, she settled beautifully in running, and she finished her race off strongly for second, the wide draw here won’t make life easy for her, if she gets some luck in running, she will be right there in the finish. 5 LADY VERITAS didn’t have much luck in running last time, she certainly caught the eye very late when low flying for fourth behind Red Beryl on the 5th of October, she will love the step up in trip back to 1500m on Saturday, from a neat draw, she will go very close. 1 SOMEBODY SOMEWHERE ran a lovely race on debut, she was green and still managed to finish just under five lengths behind Calanque, the step up in trip and the good draw will certainly help her chances, watch for big improvement from this well-bred filly. (Brandon Bailey: 2 – 10 – 5 – 1)

Race 3

1 KONNICHIWA is as honest as they come, he is so consistent, he ran a great race for second last time behind Yamazaki on the 30th of August, he steps up in trip to 1800m on Saturday, and he has a good draw, he will be right there in the finish again. 2 CAPRANICA has been rested for 108 days, he ran a fair race behind Bruh at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on the 9th of July, the blinkers have been fitted to this gelding, and top jockey Richard Fourie has been booked to ride, if he doesn’t need the run badly on Saturday, he will go very close to winning. 7 JOSHUA ran a much better race last time behind Coco’s Hero on the 27th of September, he went to the front and stayed on well to finish just under four lengths behind the winner, the blinkers stay on, he should be amongst the places on his best form, watch him closely. 9 ERIC LIDDELL has been rested and gelded, he could improve now that he steps up in trip to 1800m. (Brandon Bailey: 1 – 2 – 7 – 9)

Race 4

3 BENEATH THE CLOUDS fought really hard all the way to the line in her last start at Hollywoodbets Durbanville, she went to the front and only got caught very late when finishing second behind Princess Of Bayeux on the 27th of September, it was her first run back after a small break, she is consistent, from a neat draw on Saturday, she will have a big winning chance. 2 HUNGA TONGA quickened up like a nice filly to win a good race on the 22nd of September, the yard is in great form at the moment, she was given three points for that impressive victory, there is no doubt she will be competitive again from a decent draw. 1 PENTOLINA finished like a train to run second behind Hunga Tonga last time, her form is good, there should be no excuses for this filly from a good draw on Saturday, the step up in trip to 1800m will help her chances as well, she will go close here. 6 LAVENDER BAY could certainly be the value horse in this tricky race, the blinkers have been removed, she was doing some good work late for third last time behind Hunga Tonga, on her best form, she could easily win a race like this. (Brandon Bailey: 3 – 2 – 1 – 6)

Race 5

7 BETTER MAN was given a great ride by Jockey Richard Fourie on the 3rd of September at Hollywoodbets Durbanville, he won a good race beating King’s Quest in a driving finish, the yard thinks highly of this gelding, he is definitely improving with every start, on his best form, he can certainly win again. 9 FUTURE FREE could be absolutely anything, he won a super race last time, he was relaxed at the back of the field, and he flew past them all to win by just over two lengths on the 13th of September, he is well related, and he is getting better with every start, watch him closely late, he will be storming home. 2 COCO’S HERO won impressively at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on the 27th of September, he loved the step up in trip to 1800m, if he has made the necessary improvement back at home, he will be competitive here. 8 BATON ROUGE tries hard, he is always consistent at this level, he could sneak into the Quartet on his best form. (Brandon Bailey: 7 – 9 – 2 – 8)

Race 6

2 TWO A PENNY must have a good winning chance in this field, she ran a great race last time behind Princess Of Bayeux on the 27th of September, she was drawn badly on that occasion, and she stayed on well to finish just over three lengths behind the winner, she is a lovely looking mare with a great action, the step up in trip to 2400m should be no problem at all, from a neat draw, she will go close to winning. 3 TWICE THE MASTER was given a great ride by the apprentice to win a good race on the 7th of September, he was given six points for that win, he stays well, and he is super consistent, with no weight on his back on Saturday, he should run a cracker. 1 SANSA STARK could be some value for the places, she is much better than her recent start behind Princess Of Bayeux on the 27th of September, the step up in trip, the good draw and the low weight on her back should help her improve tremendously. 9 TOTHEMOONANDBACK ran a much better race over this trip at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on the 7th of September, if he can bring that run to the track again, he could sneak into the Quartet at a decent price. (Brandon Bailey: 2 – 3 – 1 – 9)

Race 7

8 TENPENNY made up good ground late from a long way back last time at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on the 13th of September, he finished third behind Pinot Grigio, if he gets some luck in running from a tricky draw on Saturday, he will be flying at the finish, watch him closely, he can certainly win a race like this. 4 INDUSTRIALSTRENGTH is as honest as they come, he never runs a bad race, he stayed on well for second behind Mente Et Manu on the 22nd of September, the form of that race has worked out well, he will be just off the speed early, and he will be low flying late, include him into all bets. 5 UMFULA needed his last run back after a long break on the 5th of October, he was doing some good work late at the finish behind Handsome Prince, there is no doubt that he will be a fitter horse on Saturday, he could certainly trouble them in the finish on his best form. 2 HANDSOME PRINCE bounced back to his best form to win a super race on the 5th of October at Hollywoodbets Durbanville, he was given three points for that impressive win, he is a lovely looking individual with tons of ability, he can easily win again. (Brandon Bailey: 8 – 4 – 5 – 2)

Race 8

3 DELTA PRIDE powered away from the field to win in great fashion on the 27th of September at Hollywoodbets Durbanville, he looks to be a smart gelding in the making, jockey Richard Fourie sticks with this individual, he will be very hard to beat here. 2 ASTRONOMICAL BOY won his maiden impressively on the 13th of September, he was drawn wide on that occasion, and he still managed to win with lots in hand, he will love the step up in trip to 1500m on Saturday, from a neat draw, he will press Delta Pride all the way to the line. 4 PRINCE OF TIBET has run two excellent races in succession, he stayed on well for second behind Mela Strength on the 8th of October, he will be amongst the places on his best form. 6 DEVIL A SAINT could be the value horse here for the Quartet, he ran a super race behind Major Master on the 9th of September, he ran fifth in a strong field and he was only beaten just under three lengths by the winner, he has dropped even further in the ratings, watch him closely. (Brandon Bailey: 3 – 2 – 4 – 6)

Race 9

3 OCTOBER STORM ran a great race behind Steadfast on the 22nd of September at Hollywoodbets Durbanville, he got nailed on the line in a driving finish, he is a young horse with lots of ability, from a neat draw on Saturday, he will be hard to beat. 2 MAGICAL PLACE was well supported in the market when fading late for fifth in the same race as October Storm last time, he is very fast, if he can get away from the field at the right time, he will be competitive. 9 DAME OF TRIX won her race in the boardroom on the 5th of October, it was a great finish to watch, unfortunately the wide draw here will make it tough for the mare to win again, but if she gets some luck in running early and she manages to get into a good position out the gates, she could certainly finish amongst the places at a decent price. 8 FORT RED ran a much better race at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on the 27th of September, he stayed on well for third in a close finish, with no weight on his back, he could sneak into the Quartet. (Brandon Bailey: 3 – 2 – 9 – 8)

Photos from the G2 Charity Mile draw ceremony held in the old parade ring at Turffontein earlier this week:

Benvenuto Cellini with Christophe Soumillon. (Picture: Sky Sport Racing)

Saturday’s The William Hill Futurity Trophy Stakes is one of the standout races of the British flat racing season, promising thrilling action and unforgettable moments.

Held at Doncaster Racecourse, this prestigious Group 1 race attracts the finest two-year-old thoroughbreds from across Britain and Ireland – all looking to prove their potential as future champions.

Aidan O’Brien has declared both Benvenuto Cellini and Hawk Mountain, with Action as backup. The top two have almost identical records, having been beaten on their respective debuts before winning their next two starts, most recently at Group Two level.

Benvenuto Cellini, by Frankel and out of a Breeders’ Cup winner in Newspaperofrecord, shot to the head of the Derby betting after winning the Champions Juvenile Stakes by five lengths at Leopardstown.

Hawk Mountain, a Wootton Bassett colt out of the dual Group One winner Hydrangea, was last seen impressing in the Beresford Stakes, which has been such a good guide to this race down the years.

Jamie Lynch reported on Sky Sports: “Futurity winners for Ballydoyle have come in all shapes and sizes, but the main thing that separates these three is reputation. Benvenuto Cellini could easily be the next big thing from the way he won on Irish Champions weekend.”

Via Sistina, out to defend her crown. (Colin Bull/Sportpix).

Often referred to as the weight-for-age championship of Australasia, the Group 1 W S Cox Plate (2040m) brings the best middle-distance horses into the cauldron that is Moonee Valley.

The unique layout of the tight-turning track and home straight of just 173 metres means the pressure can often be injected early, bringing out the best athletes with an honour roll second to none in Australia.

Winx won four, Kingston Town won three while Phar Lap and So You Think are among the champions to have won two.

There has been no shortage of international superstars to have won the race either, with Hong Kong champion Romantic Warrior a desperate winner in 2023 while State Of Rest and Lys Gracieux have won for Ireland and Japan in the past decade.

This year will be the last at Moonee Valley as we know it, with the track set to be ripped out and re-configured following the day, and last year’s outstanding winner Via Sistina is back to defend her crown.

She smashed Winx’s track record in her eight-length win over Japanese raider Prognosis last year having won the Turnbull Stakes at Flemington prior. This year, she was beaten in the Turnbull and seemingly isn’t going as well as she was last year.

Despite that, Via Sistina remains a firm favourite and will no doubt have been trained to the minute by Chris Waller for this race. She’s also been finding slowly run races which haven’t allowed her to show her superior stamina.

While the tempo doesn’t look overly strong in Saturday’s Cox Plate, this is the target and if there isn’t enough pace, expect runs to come from halfway and ensure the gallop is strong.

Perhaps the most likely to inject that mid-race move is second favourite Antino, who has made a habit doing just that, with a breathtaking last-to-first win in the Toorak Handicap, also surging to the lead early in the Doomben Cup, his two best career wins.

Having narrowly beaten Via Sistina home in the Turnbull Stakes at Flemington, he looks set to peak now and the tight-turning Moonee Valley track has often been conducive to those able to sustain a long run around a bend, which is his strength.

They look the two main chances ahead of the other Chris Waller trained runners, four-year-old mare Aeliana and six-year-old gelding Buckaroo. Aeliana beat home Via Sistina and Antino in a slowly run Makybe Diva Stakes but was disappointing with every chance in the Turnbull and now has to find a new level.

Buckaroo will appreciate softer ground and gets a lovely run from barrier four with big-race rider Mark Zahra aboard.

The race revolves around Via Sistina and whether she can peak in her grand final. If she runs to her best, they won’t beat her, but her form is a couple of lengths off this time last year.

Antino should get a lovely scenario to show his best and at bigger prices, makes the most appeal as a betting proposition. Buckaroo should run a much better race and can certainly fill a placing. – Sky Racing World.

Picture: The magnificent Delacroix, on his way to the starting gates. (racingfotos)

Delacroix, the winner of this year’s Irish Champion Stakes and Eclipse, has been retired and will take up residence at Coolmore next year.

The top-class son of Dubawi and American champion Tepin has long been hailed as a valuable outcross option to Coolmore’s broodmare band, which is home to any number of top-class performers and blue-bloods from the Galileo-Sadler’s Wells line.

Coolmore’s David O’Loughlin said: “Delacroix is a gorgeous horse, undoubtedly the best-looking son of Dubawi we’ve ever seen. He’s out of one of America’s greatest racemares of recent times and was an exceptionally sound, tough and talented racehorse with a lethal turn of foot.

“Dubawi’s sons like Night Of Thunder, Too Darn Hot, Zarak and New Bay are all excelling at stud and Delacroix was higher-rated than any of them. His pedigree is free of Sadler’s Wells, Galileo, Danehill and Green Desert so he will be a very important outcross for Coolmore and many of our clients.”

Delacroix retires to Coolmore with six wins and four placings from 12 starts and just over £1.7 million in prize-money. A fee will be announced in due course. – Racing Post.

This photo of three radio personalities was taken at one of the first Charity Mile race days held at Turffontein. You won’t easily guess the year, but have a go at guessing the names of the three gentlemen, who each represented a charity way back when. Who are they?