Dave Mollettt

After Aidan O’Brien runners took the recent York meeting by storm, one UK website suggested that it was “not healthy” for British racing to have the Irish stable so dominant when it came to big races.

To be honest, I could hardly believe what I was reading. As we saw in the Olympics in Paris, sport is all about crowning champions whether it is a male, female or a team.

So what was the website suggesting? A 5lb penalty on any O’Brien runner who crosses the Irish Sea!

Apparently, Tina Turner’s song “Simply The Best” was played over the loudspeaker at York as City Of Troy returned to the winners enclosure. That “best” encompassed the horse, O’Brien and the world’s best jockey, 40 year-old Ryan Moore.

The combination won three Group races on the first day of the Ebor festival – including the Gr 1 Juddmonte Stakes – and added another Gr 1 on the second day just for good measure.

So if Aidan O’Brien is considered too dominant in Europe, perhaps one could say the same about Justin Snaith in South Africa. He received the champion trainer trophy once again saddling 120 winners for over R26,1 million in prize money.

On the last big day of the 2023/24 season – the Gold Cup meeting at Hollywoodbets Greyville – there was much hype in the media that Sean Tarry might overhaul Justin Snaith and claim a sixth title.

Now the editor will correct me if I’m wrong, but my maths that day showed Sean had to win R5 million in prize money and there wasn’t that much to be won in the 10 races.

(Editor – the above stats included the restricted race stats, which do not count for the championship).

Final statistics show that the Snaith stable finished R4,93 million clear of the Tarry outfit – a figure which demonstrated the depth of equine talent at the country’s leading operation.

(Editor- Snaith was R1 492 400 clear on official stats).

There’s an interesting comparison when one looks at the major owners of the O’Brien and Snaith stables. O’Brien regularly tells the media that “the lads” will decide on the route one of his top horses is likely to take.

The “lads” are Michael Tabor, Mike Smith and Coolmore boss, John Magnier, and it has to be said they appear to make very few wrong calls.

One might have expected City Of Troy to head for the Arc in Paris in October, but Magnier is hell bent on winning a Breeders Cup Classic (dirt) in America. This year the meeting is at Del Mar – I’m lucky enough to have been to the track near San Diego where “the surf meets the turf.”

The list of Coolmore’s top horses which have crossed the Atlantic but failed in their Breeders Cup bids is quite amazing. It includes Galileo, Giants Causeway, Hawk Wing, George Washington,

Henrythenavigator, So You Think, Rip Van Winkle and Duke Of Marmalade who stood at stud here.

In contrast, Justin Snaith has a huge pool of owners headed by Gaynor Rupert and Nic Jonsson. He will no doubt consult with these top owners but it’s the advice of his invaluable right-hand man, brother Jonathan, that he is most likely to heed.

While Mike De Kock is our best known trainer, an article on Justin Snaith in Thoroughbred Racing in 2019 was headlined “No wonder so many international owners are succumbing to the charms of South Africa.” The writer added that Justin Snaith was becoming a “Renaissance” man among 21st century trainers.

In early August, Turf Talk stated that Snaith’s total career wins stood at 3397. In the 24 seasons the 48 year-old has been training, he has only failed to reach 100 winners three times.

Sean Tarry’s first season was in 1996/97 and it’s a feather in his cap that – in his 28 campaigns – he has averaged 95 winners per season.

One also has to commend Eastern Cape trainers, Alan Greeff and Gavin Smith. Greeff began his career in 1995/96 and – at the beginning of August – his winning tally stood at 3260 at an average of 112 winners per season.

Gavin Smith, who began his career in 1996/97, has a total of 2893 winners in his 28 seasons at an average of 103 per campaign.

When it comes to dominance in racing, there’s no better example than the jockey ranks with Ryan Moore head and shoulders above his rivals worldwide and Richard Fourie easily top of the class in SA.

Nevertheless, a look at the jockey statistics for 10 years ago is quite revealing. In the 2014/15 season, Fourie didn’t even reach 100 winners – his total of 98 was 122 less than champion, Gavin Lerena.

That same table shows how two of our best jockeys, S’manga Khumalo and Muzi Yeni, have – as the beer advert states – “stood the test of time.”

In 2014/15, Khumalo rode 197 winners from 1242 mounts and Yeni 147 winners from 1263 mounts.

Fast forward to the statistics for the 2023/24 season and the workload for Yeni is even higher with his 191 winners (second place behind Fourie) coming from 1494 mounts. Khumalo was far less busy last term with his 141 winners coming from 981 mounts.

What this all proves is that – while Richard Fourie was dominant with 378 winners – SA has a strong pool of jockeys. A total of 20 riders rode 50 winners or more.

One of the most important aspects of Fourie’s record-breaking achievement is that it actually made the sports pages of some newspapers. To say that the media is lukewarm  on horseracing is an understatement – I used to be Racing Editor of the Sunday Times but it no longer carries any racing – yet it was hard for sports editors countrywide not to report on a champion who reached a milestone many of us thought was impossible.

Following a well-deserved break, Fourie returned to action with a treble at Fairview on Tuesday. This begs the question: do punters take the 11-10 on offer with WSB for the 38 year-old to retain his title?

My gut feeling is that the new champ will target big races and give meetings like the Vaal on a Thursday a miss.

I’d rather back either Muzi Yeni (6-1) or Gavin Lerena (15-2). Muzi looks worth a bet as he’s started the new campaign in a winning groove and – with 1494 mounts last term – will again be flying all over the country to try and land his first championship.

Greatest Drama only just prevails (via youtube)

In the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden for two-year-olds over seven furlongs at Gowran Park on Tuesday, fourteen inexperienced horses faced the starter, including the Barnane Stud homebred Night Of Thunder filly Greatest Drama, owned in partnership with Owen Heffer, as well as the Calyx filly A Call Too Soon, who was bred in partnership by Coolmore and Gaynor Rupert’s Cayton Park Stud.

The Johnny Murtagh-trained Greatest Drama was coming off a decent debut fifth place finish in a strong maiden over seven furlongs at The Curragh. He started 11/4 second favourite as the Aiden O’Brien-trained Dubawi filly Mint Candy was backed into 11/8.

The James Stack-trained A Call Too Soon was coming off a ninth place finish in a maiden over seven furlongs at Galway and was a longshot at 25/1.

Greatest Drama was prominent throughout under Ben Coen and began challenging two furlomgs out when still travelling okay. She was ridden one furlong out and led narrowly before running green in the final half-a-furlong. However, she did just enough hold on by the barest of margins from Mint Candy.

A Call Too Soon was midfield and made brief headway on the near side of the group over one furlong out, but she found no extra inside the final furlong.

Greatest Drama was dwarfed by the imposing Mint Candy and showed tremendous courage to get the better of her, so it was a victory full of merit.

A Call Too Soon’s dam by Gleneagles won two races over a mile and a mile and one-and-a-half furlongs, so she will likely need further.

Rapidash gives Justin Snaith the third leg of a quick four-timer at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on Tuesday and it was the first leg of a double for owner Nick Jonsson (Picture: Wayne Marks) 

Graeme Hawkins (Gold Circle)

Rapidash flew home under Grant Van Niekerk in yesterday’s Class 2 Handicap over 1800m at Hollywoodbets Durbanville to snatch victory from Pacaya in the very last stride. Richard Fourie drove Pacaya into the lead soon after turning for home and approaching the final 200m, the pair appeared destined for certain victory. But Rapidash was now in full cry from near the back of the field and the 4yo son of Danon Platina quickly reeled back the leader and got his nose in front in the nick of time to give Champion trainer Justin Snaith a thrilling one-two finish.

Conceding 6,5kgs to the winner, Pacaya was far from disgraced in defeat and he is sure progress with the benefit of this run under the belt. He has proven in the past that he can mix it up with the best around and the relatively lightly raced 6yo Trippi gelding could yet make his mark through the forthcoming Cape Summer Season. Otto Luyken was backed into favouritism off his light weight but after making the early running, Gareth Van Zyl’s runner offered scant resistance and was well beaten into third spot.

Snaith got off to a real flyer at the country course yesterday, taking out the first four races on the card. Ante-post favourite Groovejet drifted in the betting approaching the off time for the opening event, a Maiden Plate over 1800m, as the money poured onto Vaughan Marshall-trained Happy Days, who shortened to 5/2 from an initial call of 10/1. With 300m to run it appeared as if the inspired support for Happy Days was going to pay off, but JP van der Merwe never let up on Groovejet and the 4yo son of Silvano responded slowly but surely to gain the upper hand in the final few strides.

Groovejet was under the pump before turning for home and his supporters will have feared the worst at that stage, but kudos to JP for a fine never-say-die ride which ultimately paid dividends. Happy Days is clearly improving, and he should make amends in the not-too-distant future.

Snaith and Fourie teamed up to win the second race, an Open Maiden (F&M) over 1800m, with Lady Springfield who found extra over the final 200m to thwart the persistent challenge from Lavender Bay. Lady Springfield was having only her third career start and the 3yo daughter of Master Of My Fate has any amount of improvement still to come as she strengthens and furnishes.

Snaith was back in the winner’s enclosure after the fourth race won by Call To Unite, a progressive 4yo son of Vercingetorix. Call To Unite’s success gave owner Nick Jonsson a quick double and Snaith his fourth consecutive winner, interestingly all ridden by different jockeys. Craig Zackey was aboard Call To Unite who battled on gamely in the closing stages to get the better of his stable companion, Daimyo, by a narrow margin.

Having his first run as a gelding, Big Unit (10/1) took out the fifth race for Brett Crawford in a blanket finish and the sixth race saw the exit of many Pick 6 tickets as Fly To Rio (25/1) stormed home under the outside rail to win comfortably. Crawford notched up his second winner when Night Bomber (12/1) narrowly got the better of a dual with stable companion Speed Racer in the seventh race, a Class 3 Handicap over 1250m.

Jack Milner (Tab4Racing)

Trainer Mike Miller made the decision to give jockey Mathew Thackeray an opportunity after he rode a good race on Querari Rose when the filly ran second on debut.

He repeated the performance and Querari Rose opened proceedings at Hollywoodbets Scottsville last Sunday. In his interview Miller said Thackeray did a lot of work at the stable and deserved the opportunity.

Miller has obviously taken by Thackeray’s performance because he has thrown another very good bone his way on the Polytrack at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Wednesday in Race 1, a Maiden Plate for fillies and mares over 1600m.

Thackeray will ride ultra-consistent Nautical Landing, who looks ready to pick up her first race after a string of four places.

Three of those were on the Polytrack and the best was over this distance when she was beaten just 0.50 lengths by Ladies World.

She jumped from draw No 9 on that occasion while this time she has benefit of pole position.

Miller can score a double in Race 5, a MR 74 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1400m, where first jockey for the stable, Tristan Godden, climbs aboard improving three-year-old Magical View.

This filly won early as a juvenile, typical for Miller, but she does not appear to be a one-hit wonder as her seasonal debut was most eye catching. She produced the fastest finish coming from far back and near the line was hard pressing eventual winner Ubukhwebezana. Two horses from behind her, Emerald Green and Rugga Lover, have won well since.

She wasn’t far off Barend Botes’ champion, Quid Pro Quo, on debut and that appears flattering, but she is looking quite a nice type herself and is probably a bit better than her merit rating of 86.

On a line through Ubukhwebezana, Arvernian Goddess rates a danger especially from gate No 1 but she could be better over 1200m as she has previously stopped over 1400m.

Jack Milner’s selections

Race 1: 1 Nautical Landing, 5 Her Royalty, 8 Jet Lavish, 2 Pull A Fast One

Race 2:  7 The Octagon, 3 Always Shining, 9 National Award, 6 Deputy Chief

Race 3:  3 Spelling Bee, 4 Down By The River, 6 Captain Casey, 1 Officer In Command

Race 4:  2 Zinikele, 3 Miss Paget, 8 Perilla, 4 Littleblackvelvet

Race 5:  5 Magical View, 1 Avernian Goddess, 6 Beautiful Rania, 7 Green Valkyrie

Race 6:  6 Porfirio, 2 Mister Nibbles, 3 Irish Luck, 4 Knight Warrior

Race 7:  9 Diani, 2 Winter Waves, 6 African Skyline, 4 Smorgasbord

Race 8:  2 Brave Voyager, 3 Phaka Imali, 10 Lou Lou The Legend, 6 Brass Bell

Race 9:  5 Puff Of Smoke, 8 Swiss Paradise, 4 Beaded Gown, 10 Drive By

BEST BET

Race 3:  3 Spelling Bee

VALUE BET

Race 6:  6 Porfirio

BEST SWINGER

Race 1 1×5

BIPOT

R216

Leg 1: 3, 7

Leg 2: 3

Leg 3: 2, 3, 8

Leg 4: 1, 5, 6

Leg 5: 2, 3, 6

Leg 6: 2, 4, 6, 9

PLACE ACCUMULATOR

R324

Leg 1: 3

Leg 2: 2, 3

Leg 3: 1, 5

Leg 4: 2, 3, 6

Leg 5: 2, 6, 9

Leg 6: 2, 3, 10

Leg 7: 4, 5, 8

PICK 6

R1944

Leg 1: 2, 3, 8

Leg 2: 1, 5, 6

Leg 3: 2, 3, 6

Leg 4: 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 9

Leg 5: 2, 3, 10

Leg 6: 4, 5, 8, 10

JACKPOT 1

R162

Leg 1: 1, 5, 6

Leg 2: 2, 3, 6

Leg 3: 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 9

Leg 4: 2, 3, 10

JACKPOT 2

R216

Leg 1: 2, 3, 6

Leg 2: 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 9

Leg 3: 2, 3, 10

Leg 4: 4, 5, 8, 10

Picture: Syndication has been hugely successful in Australian horseracing

Syndication is the best way for individuals from all walks of life to get involved in horse ownership and with prices at the sales increasing it could be the only way for most to get the hoof of a well bred horse

Charl Pretorius wrote about syndication in his excellent Off The Record series of articles this week.

CLICK HERE TO READ CHARL’S ARTICLE ABOUT SYNDICATION

Party time for Hollie Doyle at Goodwood. Credit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Record-breaking rider hits notable landmark aboard Leyhaimur.

At The Races (Tuesday 03 September 2024)

Hollie Doyle brought up a landmark 1,000th career winner in steering Leyhaimur to victory at Goodwood on Tuesday.

Doyle has rewritten the history books since registering her first success 11 years ago, breaking the record for the number of winners ridden by a female jockey in 2019 by chalking up 116 triumphs.

She has enjoyed big-race glory at home and abroad since, just last month registering her ninth European Group One win aboard Bradsell in the Nunthorpe at York.

After drawing a blank from six rides at Brighton on Monday, Doyle headed to the Sussex Downs in need of a double to achieve the four-figure mark and struck first aboard the Robert Cowell-trained Almaty Star in the five-furlong handicap.

She was out of luck in the following race, finishing eighth of 10 on Shimmering Spin, but was soon back in the winner’s circle as David Simcock’s 6-1 shot Leyhaimur ran out a two-and-a-half-length winner of the fillies’ nursery.

“Never when I started off my career did I imagine I would ride this many winners,” a jubilant Doyle told Racing TV.

“I’m just really grateful for all the support I’ve had so far; from trainers, owners, my agent – they’ve done a great job for me so far, even though I’m probably a nightmare to work for.

“Now all I can think about is the next thousand!”

Doyle has ridden more than 100 winners every year since 2019, with her best tally so far totalling 172 in 2021, and she has already broken the century for this season.

In 2020 she made the breakthrough on the biggest stage, celebrating her first Royal Ascot winner when Alan King’s Scarlet Dragon landed the Duke of Edinburgh Stakes. She also rode a five-timer at Windsor and secured her first Group-race success on Dame Maillot in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes and became retained ride for Derby-winning owner Imad Al Sagar.

Perhaps even more significantly, Doyle became the first woman to ride a winner on Qipco British Champions Day at Ascot through her old ally Trueshan, before recording a landmark first Group One success when making it a double on Glen Shiel in the Champions Sprint.

Other major achievements include being named Sunday Times Sportswoman of the Year, as well as taking third place in the coveted BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award.

Doyle is now thoroughly established at the top of the riding ranks, having secured further Group One gold on Trueshan, The Platinum Queen, Nashwa and Bradsell, while in 2022 she was joint-second in the jockeys’ championship – riding the same amount of winners as her husband, Tom Marquand.

She has also enjoyed success on foreign soil, riding 13 winners during a two-month spell in Japan, winning the Italian Oaks on Shavasana and partnering True Self to victory for Willie Mullins in the richly-endowed Neom Turf Cup in Saudi Arabia.

Doyle is not the first British-based female jockey to enjoy 1,000 career victories, with Hayley Turner having accomplished the feat last year.

However, while Turner took 23 years – including some hefty injury absences and a period of retirement – to reach the mark, Doyle has taken less than half that time.

She added: “I was riding for about six years or so before I really got going, so it feels like an age to me, but obviously statistically it’s all happened in a short period of time and it feels like two minutes ago since I had my first ride.”

Reflecting on her biggest triumphs, Doyle said: “I’m really lucky, I’ve come across some really nice horses, so I’ve been very blessed, but I suppose my first Group One on Glen Shiel was a big day and then Nashwa came with my first Classic winner, so they are days I’ll never forget.

“But the Goodwood Cup here (on Trueshan) was a pretty good day as well and hopefully I’ve got plenty more good days to look forward to as well.”

Trueshan has provided Doyle with 10 of her winners and she continued: “We’ve had our ups and downs, some days haven’t gone as planned, but we’ve had some great days in the sun, including this year.

“He’s hopefully just as effective as he has been in previous years and I look forward to seeing him back out.”

Her partnership with Archie Watson has gone from strength to strength, but Doyle is also grateful to other handlers.

She said: “Archie has been a huge supporter of mine, but I started off with Dave Evans, who gave me a really good grounding, then I went on to Richard Hannon’s, where I rode my claim out and they gave me a great education and prepared me for life as a professional jockey.

“I took the step into Archie’s yard and it’s just progressed from there really.”

As for future ambitions, Doyle declared: “Obviously, I want to ride as many Group One winners as I can, I think that’s every jockey’s dream.

“My ultimate dream was to be champion, but I know that’s very hard. I want it enough and I’ve got the work ethic for it, it’s just whether I’m capable or good enough.”

The picture is of the subject

Who is the winningest female jockey of all time?