Richard Fourie ended another memorable season on a high, winning the second Gold Cup of his career on Future Pearl and also winning two Gr 1’s and a Gr 2 on the day. (Candiese Lenferna Photography).

Delpech Believes Fourie Can Make A Bid For 335

Anthony Delpech spoke about the difficulties of riding 334 winners in one season, which looks to be one of the safest records in South African sport.

However, Hollywoodbets have dangled a carrot of R1 million to any jockey able to beat Delpech’s record, which he set in the 1998/1999 season.

Delpech rode for the big owner Len Salzman that season.

Salzman had about 150 horses around the country with the like of Alan Greeff in the East Cape, David Ferraris on the Highveld and Herman Brown in KZN.

Being attached to that big owner and those big yards gave him plenty of good rides.

However, he pointed out that the more one rode the bigger the chance of sustaining an injury and also the bigger the chance of copping a suspension.

He said that fate was not only due to the numerical increase in chances, but also due to the mental exhaustion which can set in when keeping up such a taxing riding and travelling schedule.

He actually did not manage to avoid injury that season and recalled having to often ride on painkillers.

He did not avoid suspension either.

Knowing what he went through to reach that unbelievable number of wins, he reckoned the record was pretty safe.

However, having said that, he felt Richard Fourie had all the necessary credentials to make a bid.

Firstly, he is a top rider and secondly he is attached to top yards.

He rides for Greeff in the East Cape and is attached to the powerful Sean Tarry Highveld yard.

He also rides in KZN regularly where he gets good rides from many yards.

He was, of course, also attached to Justin Snaith’s yard in Cape Town and this enabled him to ride 88 wins in the Western Cape last season.

Delpech believed the current “divorce” between Snaith and Fourie was unlikely to last long as there are not many top echelon jockeys around.

The latter point was another reason he believed Fourie could do it.

In the season Anthony did it he was up against some of the best riders in SA history, the like of Piere Strydom, Jeff Lloyd, Weichong Marwing, Robbie Fradd, Anton Marcus, Rhys van Wyk, Kevin Shea, Mark Khan, Karl Neisius etc.

Fourie’s competition in getting rides, and in race-riding on the track itself, will not be as stiff.

However, he will need to keep up a steady, taxing schedule and avoid injury and suspension at all costs.

Keagan de Melo’s last season provides an example of how hard the record chase will be.

He was actually on track at some stages, but towards the end of the season went through one particularly notable slump in which he mustered just one win in nine meetings.

So having been on track for the first half of the season he ended on 275 wins, a big number but still a whopping 60 short of a new record.

Will Princess Calla qualify for and then run in the Breeders Cup meeting? (Candiese Lenferna Photography).

Will Princess Calla Head For Breeders Cup At Del Mar In 2024?

David Mollett

Following Princess Calla’s win in Sunday’s HKJC Champions Cup at Hollywoodbets Greyville, Des Gonsalves, racing manager for Mario Ferreira, stated “she will go for the Cartier Paddock Stakes and winning that means an invite to the Breeders Cup. Who knows? We have to dream big.”

There are so many interesting aspects to an American foray – Sean Tarry (not for the first time taking on the best trainers in the world), jockey Richard Fourie possibly taking on the best riders on the planet and the chance to see where our best are on the pecking order of worldwide top horses.

The 2024 Breeders Cup is being held at Del Mar racecourse in California – a course I visited when friends and myself were en route for a holiday in Hawaii (one rand then equalled one dollar!) in 1982.

One heads south from Los Angeles on the highway that runs next to the Pacific Ocean and eventually one gets to Del Mar whose advertising slogan is “Where the Turf meets the Surf.” The ocean is only a Gary Player drive away from the starting stalls.

Sean Tarry won’t have any objections regarding the mission (ed – provided the export conditions are easy enough to make it feasible on both the cost side and for the well-being of the horse) – he’s been down this road before running Chris Van Niekerk’s horses in the UK and Hong Kong. Thanks to Chris, I was part of the entourage on these trips and it meant South Africans were able to mingle with top overseas trainers and jockeys from the UK and Australia.

From a jockey point of view, the race will be an eyeopener for Richard Fourie if he gets the call to partner Princess Calla. He could be taking on the best USA jockeys including Irad Ortiz Jnr, Joel Rosario and possibly Mike Smith.

Frankie Dettori will have retired by November next year, but European stars such as William Buick, Oisin Murphy and Christophe Soumillon are likely to be riding at the two-day meeting.

It is my feeling that Princess Calla will get the nod over Charles Dickens for Equus “Horse Of The Year” on August 23 but – to use American slang – it is no “Slam Dunk”.

It was worrying to see that the public vote – which I stressed in Business Day recently would be important in the award – has only been available for voting this week. What would have been wrong in giving more time – say up to August 16 a week before the awards.

Turf Talk editor, David Thiselton, has asked an intriguing question on the topic of Horse-of-the-Year, he writes “Who is the better horse, Princess Calla or Charles Dickens, and how much weight does opinion have over statistics?”

One has to say that last Sunday’s final meeting of the season was outstanding. I like to plan a betting strategy beforehand and had earmarked four bets – Ready To Charge (first race), Silvano’s Dasher (third), Sandringham Summit (Champions Stakes) and One Way Traffic each-way in the Gold Cup.

Ready To Charge gave his backers a run for their money but both myself and WTW tipster, Daryn Burroughs, will have been shocked by Silvano’s Dasher no show in the Worldpool Twitter Handicap.

The big mystery about Sandringham Summit’s authoritative win in the Champion Stakes is how David Nieuwenhizen’s star drifted from a call of 15-4 to start double those odds at 7-1. Did someone spread a rumour that the colt hadn’t travelled well? The market is usually right – but not on this occasion.

My longtime media buddy, “Bonski””, was adamant that I had to back Zapatillas in the Champions Cup so – with great respect for See It Again – the right bet was a double Sandringham Summit to win and Zapatillas to place.

Apparently, Brett Crawford’s four year-old had been burning up the turf at Randjesfontein and – perfectly placed by Louis Mxothwa – the bet looked nailed-on until 300m from home. Suddenly, rather like a Grand Prix car running out of gas on the final lap, there was nothing to come from last season’s KZN Guineas winner and he trailed in seven lengths behind Princess Calla.

Best not to spend any time on my wager on One Way Traffic in the Gold Cup – did Grant van Niekerk think they had to go around again?

One final conclusion. A punter suggested to me that Sean Tarry was lucky to be housing talented horses like Princess Calla, Future Pearl and Bless My Stars. My response: “Sean is a guy who makes his own luck.”

What SA Horses Face To Run In The Breeders Cup

Only one SA-based horse who has been eligible to run at the Breeders Cup meeting has made the journey, but this is not surprising considering the current draconian quarantine measures they face, not to mention the expense of the whole excercise.

There is an option for a horse to fly directly from South Africa to the USA, after spending three weeks in vector protected quarantine at Cape Town.

They must then spend a further 60 days in vector protected quarantine in the USA.

However, the cost of this flight makes it unfeasible – the flight costs in the region of US$750,000 and there are not many horses who will be wanting to join it. So for just one or two horses it is not cost effective.

Furthermore, the quarantine facilities in the USA apparently mean training has to be done on a treadmill.

The other alternative is spending three months in Mauritius vector protected quarantine, following the three weeks of doing the same in Cape Town.

The horse then has to go via Europe to America and likely has to spend a certain amount of time in Europe before the last leg of the journey too.

The last to attempt it was Queen Supreme.

For her it was a sensible move, because she was going to stand at stud in America anyway.

Nevertheless, the journey over clearly did not help Queen Supreme. In her preparation run in the UK she finished tailed off last in the Group 2 Joel Stakes over a mile on the Newmarket Rowley Mile, beaten 13 lengths. Then in the Gr 1 Fillies And Mares Breeders Cup Turf she finished last again, beaten 72 lengths.

This year’s Gr 1 Cartier Paddock Stakes winner Make It Snappy was taken out of training with the aim of getting her to the Breeders Cup. However, the attempt was eventually abandoned due to it not being feasible from either a cost effective or well-being point of view.

Princess Calla, like Queen Supreme, is nearing retirement so if there is any plan to stand her at stud in the USA that will help her Breeders Cup cause.

Meanwhile, South African racing is waiting with anticipation for the outcome of the recent EU audit.

Hopefully the results are accompanied by a change to the export protocols that will a) allow direct flights to Europe after a quarantine period in SA and b) for the landed bloodstock to then be treated like European bloodstock for any further travel.

Make It Snappy (Picture: Wayne Marks).

Make It Snappy Aimed At The Cape Summer Season

After her aborted attempt to get to the Breeders Cup the Brett Crawford-trained Dynasty filly Make It Snappy will be aimed at the Cape Summer Season and the defence of her Gr 1 Cartier Paddock Stakes title will likely be her chief target.

Racing manager Anthony Delpech described the Hollywood Syndicate’s season as “phenomenal and hard to repeat”.

Peter Barker was the member of the team who correctly predicted the number of winners they would have, 124.

However, beating their previous record of 101, set last season, by 23 was not the highlight.

Delpech said, “The highlight was winning five Grade 1s, from not one Gr 1 before to five in one season and also a Gr 1 hurdles win overseas, so that makes it six Gr 1s altogether.”

He said every Gr 1 win had been equally important and rewarding.

Make It Snappy’s two Gr 1’s not only brought to fruition a lifelong dream of Owen Heffer’s, but also strengthened the bond between Hollywood and Ridgemont, from whom they lease the daughter of Dynasty.

The Peter Muscutt-trained Isivunguvungu’s two Gr 1’s were just as rewarding because Anthony and bloodstock expert Sally Bruss identified him at Narrow Creek Stud farm. The son of What A Winter was purchased privately before the 2020 National Yearling Sale.

The Grant Maroun-trained Anfield Rocket’s Gr 1 win was also particularly rewarding because this son of the unfashionable sire Coup De Grace was bought in training. Trainer Clinton Binda, who was one of Hollywood’s first trainers, was the man who recommended the purchase.

The overseas Gr 1 hurdles win also served to strengthen the relationship with Ridgemont as he is raced in partnership with Barnane Stud, which, like Ridgemont, is owned by the Kieswetter family.

Hollywood have made a fine start to the new season and reached career win number 450 with a double on the Hollywoodbets Greyville poly on Wednesday.

Grant Knowles won the coveted green jacket at this year’s SA Racing Masters Golf Tournament and poses here with the other chief prize winners (Vee Ramsayi).

Grant Knowles Wins The Green Jacket At The SA Racing Masters

Three of the best fun days of the racing calendar are at the annual SA Racing Masters golf tournament at the Wild Coast Sun Country Club.

The tournament always starts on the first Monday after the Gold Cup meeting.

Players arrive the day before the two day 36 hole hole tournament and leave the morning after.

The golf is always keenly contested.

Fine fare and camaraderie is enjoyed on the three nights, especially at the prize giving dinner.

At this year’s prize giving the outgoing champion James Goodman presented the green jacket to the new champion Grant Knowles.

Grant, playing off a 3 handicap, scored 39 points on day one and 36 points on day two for a total of 75 stableford points.

The top ten points scorers were:

1. GRANT KNOWLES 75 points

2. ROY MOODLEY 72

3. GILL DAVIES 71

4. WYNN DAVIES 68

5. CODDY KALIAN 68

6. PETER WAISON 67

7. BLAINE HAMILTON 67

8. DEEZ DAYANAND 67

9. STRETCH DE JONG 64

10. JAMES GOODMAN 64

The photographs were taken by Vee Ramsayi.

From left to right 4Racing CEO Fundi Sithebe, Grooms representatives Koos Tau and Nceba Magazi, Mrs Mary Slack and trainers Fabian Habib, David Nieuwenhuizen and Robyn Klaasen at the opening of the first phase of Grooms Accommodation renovations at Turffontein Racecourse today. (4Racing)

4Racing unveils first phase of Turffontein Grooms accommodation renovation project

Johannesburg, 2 August 2023

As part of its ongoing Transformation Initiative, horse racing operator 4Racing today revealed the completion of the first phase of the renovation of the Grooms accommodation quarters at the Turffontein Racecourse.

The upgrading of Grooms accommodation is part of an extensive series of Grooms benefits, aimed at empowering and improving the welfare of traditionally the most marginalised workers in the horseracing industry.

The Grooms accommodation renovation project started in February this year, after 4Racing conducted an extensive audit of all of the Grooms accommodation in its racing jurisdictions and found that the Grooms accommodation in Turffontein in particular was in appalling condition and in urgent need of repairs.

“Today on time and on schedule we mark the completion of Phase One of the Grooms accommodation renovations project and the complete refurbishment of our double-storey units at Turffontein and the official handover to our Trainers and Grooms. This has been a challenging journey, but one we believe was absolutely necessary to ensure the Grooms who are the backbone of our industry have a comfortable and clean environment they can call home. This is about far more than a new coat of paint, new beds, floors, showers, bathrooms and kitchens – this is about the appreciation and respect for Grooms who have traditionally been amongst the most marginalised members of the horseracing industry,” said 4Racing Chief Executive Officer, Fundi Sithebe, at a ceremony to unveil the upgraded Grooms quarters at Turffontein today.

During the renovation process, 4Racing needed to reallocate 50% of Grooms to temporary accommodation, with 52 Grooms now set to move into their refurbished double-storey accommodation this week. A total of 62 Grooms will now move out of the single storey units into the temporary accommodation, as the Second Phase of the project starts – which is expected to be completed at the end of this year.

Sithebe paid tribute to the 4Racing Board, who approved the Grooms accommodation renovations as part of a 4Racing Transformation Initiative which will see 26% of 4Racing transferred to a Grooms and Employees Trust, as part of a series of wide-ranging transformation initiatives. Mrs Mary Slack was a special guest at the Grooms accommodation renovation opening at Turffontein today.

“In a very difficult economic and trading environment where we continue to fight for the survival and sustainability of the horseracing industry – the 4Racing Board has been true to our company’s ethos of ‘Profit through Purpose’ and have prioritised basic human conditions and the dignity of Grooms through this Groom accommodation renovation project. This project together with the range of Grooms benefits, such as medical and funeral insurance provided to Grooms by 4Racing with the support of the Racehorse Owners Association, has seen dignity and equality returned to the horseracing workforce – most importantly the Grooms and Stable Hands,” said Sithebe. “Today, we find immense joy in being acknowledged as fellow human beings. We are elated for the 4Racing Team, which has taken charge of this enterprise. At this moment, we can proudly say that we are seen, our voices are heard, we are recognised and having a voice was all we ever desired,” Grooms representative, Nceba Magazi, said on behalf of the Turffontein Grooms.

Sithebe called on Grooms to take responsibility for the maintenance and upkeep of the upgraded accommodation, saying she hoped it would signify a change of lifestyle as this initiative not only focuses on enhancing the physical infrastructure, but also prioritises the overall wellbeing and safety of Grooms.

4Racing aims to complete the entire project by the end of 2023.

The Sabine Plattner-homebred filly Candy Town clinches a double for Andre Nel and Corne Orffer and is the middle leg of a quick treble for the sire Querari. (Picture: Wayne Marks).

Querari Treble, Orffer/Nel Double, Bass-Robinson Double

Corne Orffer rode a double for trainer Andre Nel and owner Sabine Plattner at Hollywodbets Durbanville today and Candice Bass-Robinson also scored a double.

The first winner for Nel and Plattner was interesting, because this three-year-old colt by US Triple Crown winner Justify was bred in Australia at S R B Plattner Farming Operations in New South Wales.

The winners of the second, third and fourth races were all by Querari.