TAB's weekend Jackpot Bonanza!
Pic: Cats Pyjamas, a possible Jackpot One banker at Greyville, Sunday. (Gold Circle).
There are four R250,000 Jackpot ONE carryovers this weekend with loads of cash up for grabs! TAB’s three-day Jackpot bonanza starts at Fairview on Friday, continues at the Hollywoodbets Durbanville and Turffontein meetings on Saturday, and ends at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Sunday. Each of the carryover Jackpot ONE pools should total some R1 million. Have a go – you can count on inflated payouts whatever the results!
The Cape meeting sets the stage for the province’s summer season with two Grade 3s, the Kuda Matchem Stakes and Baker McVeigh Diana Stakes over 1400m.
Gimme A Prince returns to the track for the Matchem Stakes, almost a year after his close second to Charles Dickens in this race, in 2023. Trainer Dean Kannemeyer noted in Computaform that the dual Grade 1 winner may need the run after his rest, while jockey Craig Zackey said in a TAB4 Racing interview a few weeks ago that he is excited about the six-year-old, who is on the comeback trail. This indicates that he is doing well in his work and that his fans can expect a decent run.
There is little to choose on form between four-year-olds Princess Izzy and Rainbow Lorikeet in the Diana Stakes, but the former looks better suited to Durbanville, has Richard Fourie on board and jumps from a perfect draw.
Here is a suggested Durbanville Jackpot perm:
JACKPOT 1 PERM (R360)
Starts in Race 5 at 13:30
Leg 1: 5, 7, 10
Leg 2: 1, 4, 7, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16
Leg 3: 4, 5, 7
Leg 4: 2, 4, 8, 10
Of all the carryover Jackpots this weekend, the one at Turffontein is potentially the trickiest. There are factors for, but also against every runner in all four Jackpot 1 legs and hence the best strategy will be to include as many ‘fields’ as possible. To suit most budgets, three fields and one banker might do the trick. The runner with most appeal, overall, is DJ Junior in the last leg of the bet, Race 8 over 1400m. He is a lightly raced gelding with a touch of class, having won two of nine starts, including one in stronger company. He looks well weighted and caught the eye in third place when in need of his last run. If he doesn’t fall prey to the ‘second run after a layoff’ syndrome, DJ Junior should go close.
Here is a suggested Turffontein Jackpot Perm:
JACKPOT 1 PERM (50% FOR R374):
Starts in Race 5 @ 14:25
Leg 1: FIELD (1-8)
Leg 2: FIELD (1-9)
Leg 3: FIELD (1-9)
Leg 4: 7
The one to be with on Sunday at Greyville looks to be Frank Robinson’s Cats Pyjamas. He confirmed his early juvenile promise by winning the Grade 2 Umkhomazi Stakes over 1200m on Gold Cup day at the end of July, and has been rested since. On his well exposed ability, and the handicapper’s assessment that he is worth a rating of 110, he should be too good for his rivals in Race 5, a Graduation Plate over 1200m. Cats Pyjamas looks a possible banker in the carryover Jackpot, which starts in Race 4 at 14:25. Another who should go close with a drop in class is Red William in Race 4 over 2300m.
Here is a suggested Jackpot perm for Greyville Sunday:
JACKPOT 1 PERM (R96)
Starts in Race 4 at 14:25
Leg 1: 1
Leg 2: 3
Leg 3: FIELD (1-12)
Leg 4: FIELD (1-8)
BSA Cape Yearling Sale will move to SARDA Centre in 2025
SARDA: Beautiful setting for a sale. (Romi Bettison).
The 2025 Bloodstock South Africa Cape Yearling Sale will be held at the SARDA Centre in Brommersvlei Road, Constantia Heights. It has been a regional sale recently held in the Western Cape at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth Racecourse creating a competitive platform for both vendors and buyers.
This sale has progressed over the past 3 years reflecting an Aggregate Turnover growing 21% to R27,3m, the Average Sale Price increased 33% to R206,000 and the Sale Median Price exceeded expectations with an increase of 64% to R180,000 over the past 3 years.
Sadly, due to the unavailability of Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, Bloodstock South Africa have had to source an alternate venue to continue the momentum of their Cape Yearling Sale to be held on Sunday the 23rd February 2025.
Bloodstock South Africa are proud to announce the start of a partnership with The South African Riding for the Disabled Association (SARDA) and the Constantia Valley Riding Club who are based at the SARDA Centre in Brommersvlei Road, Constantia Heights, 6km from Hollywoodbets Kenilworth.
SARDA is a non-profit organization that has been in existence for more than 50 years and offers free equine therapy through horse riding to children and adults living with intellectual and physical disabilities to improve their physical and social wellbeing and learning abilities.
These horse riding classes are run by trained and certified RDA instructors who are assisted by a group of instructors and a team of volunteers. SARDA is also a registered member of Horses in Education and Therapy International (HETI). For more information, you can visit the SARDA website at https://sarda.co.za/
“Bloodstock South Africa are excited to be partnering with such a giving organization and will be supporting SARDA where possible in upgrading their facilities and expanding their programmes. All the existing sale related facilities will be easily accommodated at the SARDA Centre and Bloodstock South Africa look forward to hosting vendors and buyers at their Cape Yearling Sale on the 23rd February 2025” said Michael Holmes, Chief Executive Officer of Bloodstock South Africa.
The venues for the other Bloodstock South Africa 2025 sales will remain as published on the website and the details can be found at https://bsa.co.za/
Enquiries can be directed to the Bloodstock South Africa team.
Horseracing is growing in mainland China
From www.paulickreport.com
Thoroughbreds have gained a foothold in mainland China only in the past few decades, but interest in the breed’s racing product, both locally and internationally, has caused its growth, and support within the Chinese government, to increase dramatically.
Organized horse racing has been taking place in mainland China for centuries. According to the book “China Races” by Austin Coates, meets in Beijing drew crowds more than 80,000 strong in the 1860s, with Mongolian ponies and Arabians being the primary breeds.
Over the past decade, Chinese investors have been expanding their Thoroughbred interests beyond their own borders, and the expansion into the North American market has been led by An Zhi Qiang, the chairman of the Hohhot Equestrian Association and the Inner Mongolia Mengjun Horse Industry in northern China.
Chip McGaughey, Keeneland’s director of sales development, has visited China on multiple occasions since 2018 to promote the auction company and buying American bloodlines, and he has seen the development first-hand over that span of time.
“Racing is certainly growing in mainland China,” he said. “There’s been a lot more investment and harmonization of rules, and the racing product’s a lot stronger. There’s races for over $100,000 in U.S. dollars over there now, so your return on investment can be pretty lucrative if you do get a good horse.”
Unlike Hong Kong and formerly Macao, wagering on horse racing in mainland China is prohibited.
Because purse funds can’t be generated from handle, Li said the purses for mainland Chinese races come from a variety of sources:
– Entry fees
– The meet organizer, such as An’s Inner Mongolia Mengjun Horse Industry
– Sponsorships, some of which come from international auction houses and stud farms
– National associations, such as the Chinese Equestrian Association and China Horse Industry Association
– Local and provincial governments
McGaughey has visited Chinese racetracks operated by An and others, and he said the venues he saw primarily featured dirt surfaces, with a smaller handful also containing turf courses. The dirt main tracks typically rely more on a sand base than what one would be used to seeing at American tracks.
The Chinese Thoroughbred auction industry has been helped along greatly by the Australian auction houses as it works to establish itself.
Magic Millions led the way, partnering with Beijing Tianci Shengquan Equestrian Club to host the inaugural auction in mainland China to feature international offerings, named the “2009 First Australian Thoroughbred Horse Auction,” which brought a handful of selected Australian-born horses to be offered.
Inglis partnered with the Yulong Jockey Club to launch its first Thoroughbred sale in 2018, which grossed US$1.775 million from a 71-horse catalog, and the Chinese group currently hosts spring and fall sales.
Today, the Yulong auctions are operated by Zhongxin Auction, which is owned in partnership between Shanxi Yulong Horse Industry Development LLC and the Yulong Jockey Club. However, representatives for both Inglis and Magic Millions were in attendance for the 2024 Yulong Fall Sale.
King Regent will be aimed at 3rd leg of Poly Challenge
Glen Kotzen was supremely confident that Dynasty’s five-year-old son King Regent would win the second leg of the Nelson Mandela Bay Racing Poly Challenge over 1200m after he’d doddled the first leg over 1200m on 23 August.
Kotzen said on Thursday that King Regent’s wide draw didn’t worry him and that the horse was “in it to win it”. King Regent rewarded the stable’s confidence when he surged home under a good ride from Dennis Schwarz, who said: “He was a bit slow out, but he’s a proper sprinter. I knew he would quicken the way he did.”
Kuyan Kotzen thanked owners Martin Wickens and Gizela Burg and promised that King Regent would return for the third leg of the series. The Ridgemont-bred is now a six-time winner from 16 starts, and he’s banked in excess of R1,25-million.
Assistant trainer Chad Little said: “I ride him in work and nothing can go with him.”
Words to remember when King Regent lines up in the third leg, over 1600m, on 18 October. No horse has been able to win all three legs of the challenge, and a bonus of R250 000 for his connections.
Natural Movement: Houston's Police Horses Go Barefoot and Bitless!
Houston’s Mounted Police. (‘Patrick Horse’ on Facebook).
Here’s an interesting story from the United States.
The Houston Mounted Police Patrol Unit has been gaining global attention recently for its leadership in the natural horse movement. After transitioning to barefoot years ago, the Unit has now also opted to go bitless.
The mounted unit herd was previously managed in a very traditional manner, however, the officers soon realized that they were frequently faced with hoof issues and other ailments that could be attributed to the use of metal shoes. Metal shoes on asphalt create concussive force that travels through the hoof and up the leg of the horse.
In 1984, the Swiss Cavalry at the University of Zurich conducted a study on the effects of metal shoeing. The research revealed that the impact force on a shod hoof on hard ground is 10-33 times greater than that of an unshod hoof. The vibration caused by the shoe in the hoof is approximately 800 hz, a level that is high enough to cause damage to living tissue.
The metallic footwear was impeding the natural flexibility of the hoof under pressure, consequently reducing essential blood flow to the hoof and lower limb.
As a result of these challenges, the unit concluded that it was worth trying something different. In 2004, they decided to experiment by allowing one horse to go barefoot. The outcome was extremely positive, leading them to transition their entire herd (40 horses) to barefoot.
They observed a significant improvement in the health of their horses, resulting in a 50% reduction in vet bills. Moreover, they noticed enhanced traction on slippery surfaces, contributing to a sense of safety for both the officers and horses during patrols. It is difficult to dispute the benefits of these changes! Furthermore, the force has recently made the decision to transition to Bitless equipment, which has been met with great success.
Injured Khumalo will be on the sidelines for several weeks
S’Manga Khumalo: Knee injury.
From Sporting Post
Former SA Champion jockey Smanga ‘Bling’ Khumalo was discharged from hospital on Thursday following knee surgery.
He was injured in an accident at the start of a race at Turffontein last Saturday.
Khumalo was dislodged from Inspector James as the start of the third race was effected.
The Johan Janse van Vuuren-trained What A Winter gelding took an awkward stride and stumbled leaving the stalls.
‘Bling’ was attended to by course paramedics and transported to the medical centre for further observation, and thereafter to hospital.
His agent Monty Mariemuthoo told the Sporting Post that the senior jockey had suffered bruising to his neck and back and was in a lot of pain.
He was operated on his right knee for a torn ligament on Wednesday. The operation was reportedly a success and he was discharged with strict rest instructions.
He is due back at the specialist on 10 October and is expected to undergo rehabilitation thereafter.
It is likely that the popular rider will be on the sidelines for some time, but more specific information should be available one he has undergone the follow-up.
You can wish ‘Bling’ on X – @dancewithkhumal
Today's Question
This photo appeared in the Racing Post website this week.
Question: What will the price of a Pint of Guiness be at the 2025 Cheltenham Festival? See if you can guess without going to the RP website.
Today’s Question Answer
Perhaps the authorities at Cheltenham wish to prevent scenes like this at the 2025 Festival by increasing the price of Guiness, or perhaps they want to cream a few pound off of the top to buy their racing fan Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, a horse. He reportedly loves freebies.
The price of a Pint has been set set at £7.80, a 30p increase on 2024. At today’s exchange rate, that equates to roughly R185 per Pint!
