Turf Talk Newsletter – 5 July 2022

Jul 5, 2022

3396

Greg Bortz (Wayne Marks Photography)

Bortz And Hollywoodbets To Ensure Cape Racing’s Future

THE THOROUGHBRED HORSE RACING TRUST AND KR: UPDATE ON PROPOSED TRANSACTIONS

Press Release:

The trustees of The Thoroughbred Horseracing Trust (the “Trust”) and the board of directors of Kenilworth Racing Pty Ltd (“KR”) (collectively, the “Trustees and KR Board”) would like to inform all stakeholders of certain proposed transactions that will have a significant impact on the future of racing in the Western Cape.

As has been publicly disclosed on numerous previous occasions, KR is experiencing severe liquidity and cash flow constraints. In short, the current situation is such that, absent immediate action, KR may be forced to imminently cease operations. In light of these critical issues, the Trustees and KR Board have been working tirelessly to identify immediate and sustainable sources of liquidity to enable racing to continue in the near term, as well as solutions to ensure the long-term viability and health of racing in the Western Cape for the years and decades ahead.

To that end, the Trustees and KR Board are pleased to announce certain developments that are intended to achieve those objectives. First, the board of KR has approved and counter-signed an expression of interest (EOI) with GMB Investments (Pty) Ltd (“GMB”), a company represented by Cape Town based owner Gregory Bortz.

This EOI provides that GMB, upon receipt of the necessary regulatory approvals and subject to certain closing conditions, will provide an immediate R130 million of liquidity to KR in the form of:

(i) The granting of a R50 million working capital facility to KR; and

(ii) The repayment of approximately R80 million in indebtedness owing by KR to its current lender.

In addition to the normal and customary terms typical of such financing arrangements, GMB will receive an option from KR to subscribe for an equity stake in KR exercisable upon a change of control transaction at KR (the “GMB Option”).

Separately, the trustees of the Trust have counter-signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Hollywood Sportsbook Holdings (Pty) Ltd (“Hollywoodbets”) for the purchase of all the Trust’s shares and claims in KR (the “Hollywoodbets transaction”). Hollywoodbets has agreed to make a minimum of R200 million cash infusion into KR pursuant to the successful closing of the Hollywoodbets transaction.

The parties intend to work together as swiftly as possible to proceed from the MOU phase to the execution of definitive purchase and sale documentation. Closing of these transactions will be subject to various approvals including but not limited to The National Horseracing Authority of Southern Africa (“NHRA”), The Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board (“WCGRB”) as well as The Competition Authorities. These regulatory approvals may take significant time to complete.

Upon the ultimate closing of the Hollywoodbets transaction, and upon the exercise of the GMB Option, there will be two shareholders in KR – namely Hollywoodbets and GMB.

In signing the EOI and the MOU, the Trustees and KR Board sought an enduring solution for Cape Racing that ringfenced the Cape’s crown jewel, Kenilworth Racecourse. We are pleased to announce that the MOU contains (in addition to the very sizable cash injection into KR) a provision for the ringfencing of Kenilworth Racecourse.

Hollywoodbets has already shown its commitment to horseracing in South Africa through its extensive racehorse ownership and sponsorship, and remains steadfastly focused on continuing to promote and give back to the sport it is so passionate about. Hollywoodbets’ involvement will ensure that thousands of jobs in and around the horseracing industry are maintained and secured. In addition, Hollywoodbets importantly holds a Broad-based Black Economic Empowerment Level 3 status. Furthermore, its devotion to providing outstanding customer service will invariably assist KR in providing the best possible owner and punter experience in the province.

We are further delighted at the prospect of having Greg Bortz’s involvement following the implementation of the transaction – not simply in terms of his capital, but in terms of his time and expertise. In addition to being a substantial and passionate owner in South Africa, Mr. Bortz’s professional background involved investing in and restructuring operationally and financially challenged businesses. We believe his turnaround expertise and guidance, coupled with his passion for and knowledge of horseracing, will assist the board in returning KR to the status it deserves. Post-closing of the Hollywoodbets transaction and the exercise of the GMB Option, it is anticipated that Mr. Bortz will serve as Executive Chairman of KR.

As stated previously in this release, changes to the ownership and board in KR are dependent upon the receipt of the prerequisite regulatory and other approvals. We are unable to estimate the timing thereof. In the interim, the GMB financing will enable KR to continue its racing operations with an eye to exciting developments upon the closing of both transactions.

We would like to specifically acknowledge the prior support of Mary Slack and her family who for a period of over two years has assisted KR through significant liquidity hurdles, and for which we are most grateful.

While the new ownership and leadership can only commence once all regulatory approvals and conditions have been met, we are excited about what lies ahead once the new team assumes the helm. Most importantly, we are extremely pleased that the future and sustainability of horseracing in the Western Cape has been secured for generations to come.

The Trust and KR will be providing regular update announcements as further pertinent information becomes available.

South African Sport Icons Partner With GTH

GTH secures top media personalities to thrill the spectators

Teams from Gauteng, Western Cape and KZN raring for top spot in GTH Live Series

Tickets to GTH Live Series are now available for purchase

DURBAN, JULY 4, 2022. It is just over a month away for a South African first! The inaugural Global Team Horse Racing series (GTH) with the first event taking place on the 5th of August 2022.

After years of planning and trials, everything is finally coming together.

Tickets for the events will be available online via TIXSA from the 1st of July. If you cannot make it to the venue, don’t stress, you will be able to follow all the action on SuperSport!

Watch the KwaZulu Royals take on the Gauteng Gijimaz at the first event of the series on the 5th August. The following week, the 12th of August, it will be the KwaZulu Royals going up against the Cape Stingers. The 19th of August will see the Cape Stingers take on the Gauteng Gijimaz and the combined results will determine who makes the final showdown on the 2nd of September.

The races will be called by two of horse racing’s legends, Neil Andrews and Graeme Hawkins.

Neil has been a part of the SuperSport team since the outset and his knowledge, insights and humour have kept audiences entertained for years. He is also the anchor of the new revamped and relaunched Super Saturday’s on SuperSport.

Graeme has had an involvement in horse racing his whole life as a punter, owner, bilingual race-caller, racing journalist, television presenter, auctioneer, track expert, race programme planner, pedigree researcher, marketer, salesman, administrator and that is why to many, he is known as Mr Racing!

The GTH team has been bolstered with the inclusion of three of South Africa’s most popular presenters. Many a Gautenger will have ended their day with Alex Caige, who hosts 94.7’s afternoon show, and he is joined by well-known Mzanzi actress, Hope Mbhele and multi-talented TV and radio presenter, and a passionate F1 speed crazy Kriya Gangiah. Tee Xaba, a multi-talented entertainer and East Coast Radio DJ will be the MC for the Live series.

The series offers something for everyone, you don’t need to be an ardent race going fanatic to sense the excitement. Choose and support your team and see who makes it to the final. GTH Team merch will be available to show your support. Ticket prices start at R100 for general access. Children under R14 are free. Gates open at 17h00 on a Friday, action starts at 18h00 and all condensed to finish by 20h30.

“This is action packed horse racing,” enthuses Angus Campbell, GTH Marketing Director, “3 teams, 4 events and 1 final showdown, bring the family and enjoy an evening of concentrated excitement and entertainment.”

For more information, visit the GTH website at www.gthracing.co.za.

Be part of the action!

ENDS

Ameena – One Of The Season’s Fairytale Stories

There is a great story behind Glen Kotzen’s Grade 2 Zulu Kingdom Explorer winner Ameena (Quasillo).

The story starts with the Dynasty filly Sabaha, who was owned by Al Khayl Breeders and was trained by Duncan Howells.

She won three times and was placed three times in just ten starts.

She was then sent to board at Boland stud, where owner Eugene Freeman helped and guided Al Khayl Breeders with their first ever broodmare.

She was covered first by Wylie Hall and produced an unplaced horse who only raced once.

She was then covered by the Group 3-winning son of Sea The Stars, Quasillo, who is a half-brother to Querari and stands with him at Maine Chance Farms.

Al Khayl have a few more mares they are now breeding with.

The Quasillo foal was named Ameena after the daughter of one of the Al Khalyl Breeders members and it means “Blessing”.

She was later put on to the Gaby Soma online auction as a weanling.

Glen Kotzen went to see her at the farm and liked what he saw, although he was unable to ascertain why she was being sold as a weanling.

It creates scepticism when a horse of that age is sold online and so it proved as Kotzen was able to snap her up for a mere R5,000.

Later, Jaithern Singh, a first-time owner, bought into a couple of Cape Town-based babies Kotzen trains.

Jaithern picked up the game from his Dad, but recently gave up punting. However, as he still had a passion foe horses he decided to experience it “from the other side of the ropes.”

As part of the Kotzen yard, he began receiving emails about shares available in other horses.

He contacted Glen asking him if he had anything which was ready to run, because the KZN Champions Season was approaching.

By that stage Ameena was valued at R150,000 as the half-brother to her dam, Vars Vicky (Var) had come out and won the Grade 2 Senor Santa Stakes.

Glen told Jaithern Ameena was running the following week and he could buy a share and she could run in his colours. He told him he could back her too, because he believed she would win first time out.

Jaithern recalled, “There was a lot of good talk about her for her debut but I am a naturally pessimistic person and I know racing, so I decided to take a step back and see what happened. I didn’t want to get ahead of myself.”

She duly won after being backed in from 4/1 to 10/7. beating the Mike Miller-trained debutant Woodland Retreat by 1,70 lengths.

Her next race was in the Grade 3 Strelitzia Stakes over 1100m.

Jaithern was playing in the club golf championship that day, so couldn’t watch but she won at odds of 13/2. The excitement of the win apparently effected his golf game, so he lost the lead he had and lost the championship.

She ran a below par fifth in the Grade 1 Gold Medallion next time, having been working very well in the build up.

Jaithern said, “I took a step back and told myself it would still just be amazing to have a runner on July day anyway.”

He brought his whole family to the course on Saturday.

Ameena sat in midfield from a draw of seven, but Jaithern was not concerned knowing the turn of foot she possesses.

She turned it on in devastating fashion in the straight to win by half-a-length against her old adversary Woodland Retreat.

Jaithern said, “It was absolutely amazing, it’s just a dream really.”

He says he always leaves everything to the jockey and trainer and is just there for the ride, but admits he goes into his own world during a race.

He added, “It took me a good five minutes to get my breath back without anybody around, but just an amazing feeling, it really is.”

Jaithern admitted he had never clapped eyes on Ameena before buying her and concluded, “As Glen famously says a good racehorse finds you.”

Picture: Jaithern Singh (left of horse) and family lead in Ameena (Woodhill Racing Twitter)

Captain’s Ransom maintains a slender lead on Horse of The Year Table

Despite only finishing fourth in Saturdays Grade 1 Brentford F.C. Garden Province Stakes, Captain’s Ransom clung onto her lead at the top of the Horse of The Year table.

Sparkling Water, after her runaway Hollywoodbets Durban July win, enters the table for the first time, only one point adrift of Captain’s Ransom, and this places two fillies at the top of the Horse of The Year table with four weeks to season end.

Jet Dark, following his second place in the July, is just off the pace, four points below Captain’s Ransom. The only other mover on the table was Safe Passage, third in the July, while MK’s Pride fell from the top seven.

The Grade 1 Champions Cup at month end may well decide which horse tops the Horse of The Year Table this season. The winner will accumulate an extra 48 points towards the table.

Captain’s Ransom heads the table on 108 points, followed by Sparkling Water (107), Jet Dark (104), Safe Passage (90), Rain In Holland (86), and both Kommetdieding and Pomp and Power on 84 points.

Champion Three-Year-Old Colt

Apart from their participation in the Hollywoodbets Durban July there was little action in the three-year-old male category this month. Safe Passage moved to the top of the table after his third in the July, while Pomp and Power, Aragosta and Master Archie were unable to add to their June points tallies.

Safe Passage heads the table on 90 points followed by Pomp and Power (84), Aragosta (52), Master Archie (48) and Double Superlative (46).

Champion Three-Year-Old Filly

There was no change to the Champion Three-Year-Old filly table this month. Rain in Holland (86 points) remains on top followed by Chansonette (72), Big Burn (54), Under Your Spell (45) and Sprinkles (42).

Champion Older Male and Female

Jet Dark (104 points) moved back to the top of the Champion Older Male category and now holds a large lead over his closest rivals, Kommetdieding (84), MK’s Pride (83), Al Muthana and Astrix on 68 points. Al Muthana is a new entrant to the table after his first Grade 1 win in the Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge in June.

Captain’s Ransom (108) holds onto her lead by a slender one-point over Sparkling Water (107). She’s A Keeper (32 points) enters the table for the first time after her first Grade 1 success in the Jonsson Workwear Garden Province Stakes. Likewise, Marina (32) enters the table off a second in the same race while Princess Calla (52) remains on the table.

Distance Categories

There was no change to the Champion Sprinter table this month with Alesian Chief (45 points) still on top, followed by Master Archie and Bohica (both on 40 points), Big Burn (36) and Captain’s Ransom (32).

The Grade 1 Mercury Sprint at month end could well decide which horse finishes on top of this closely contested category.

The result of the Grade 1 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge dictated the changes to the Champion Miler table this month. While MK’s Pride finished fourth in that race he remains on top with 83 points. The winner of the Gold Challenge, Al Muthana (68) enters the table for the first time, followed by Gold Challenge third, Jet Dark (60), Princess Calla (48) and Captain’s Ransom (44).

With her win in the July Sparkling Water has leapt to the top of the Champion Middle Distance table. She leads with 79 points, followed by Astrix (54), Kommetdieding (48), Jet Dark (44), and Flying Carpet (38).

Black Thorn displaced Nebraas and Sparkling Water at the top of the Champion Stayers table after his win in Saturday’s Grade 3 DSTV Gold Vase. He leads the table on 21 points followed by Sparkling Water and Nebraas (both on 20 points), and new entrants Pink Tourmaline (16) and Salvator Mundi (11).

Champion Two-Year-Old Colt and Filly

Thunderstruck remains on top of the colt’s category with 32 points, while Saturday’s Grade 2 Golden Horseshoe winner Cousin Casey (24) is in pursuit. They are followed by Now I Got You, Karangetang and Prophet (all on 16 points).

Despite finishing unplaced in Saturday’s Grade 2 Golden Slipper, Sweet Pepper remains in the lead in the filly’s category on 32 points.

The winner of that race, Ameena (24) is second followed by Glittering Girl, Maharanee and Miss Cool (all on 16 points).

Note: Points log will determine one-third of the final award in each category, with an expert panel and a public vote each accounting for another third of the final vote. Only horses included in the final points log will be voted on by the expert panel and public. The final awards in each category will be announced on 24 August 2022.

Equus Awards 2022 – Points Tables to 2 July 2022

Horse of the Year	Age	Sex	Pts
CAPTAIN’S RANSOM (SAF)	4	F	108
SPARKLING WATER (SAF)	4	F	107
JET DARK (SAF)	4	C	104
SAFE PASSAGE (SAF)	3	G	90
RAIN IN HOLLAND (SAF)	3	F	86
KOMMETDIEDING (SAF)	4	C	84
POMP AND POWER (SAF)	3	G	84

Champion Three-Year-Old Male	Age	Sex	Pts
SAFE PASSAGE (SAF)	3	G	90
POMP AND POWER (SAF)	3	G	84
ARAGOSTA (SAF)	3	G	52
MASTER ARCHIE (SAF)	3	C	48
DOUBLE SUPERLATIVE (SAF)	3	C	46

Champion Three-Year-Old Female	Age	Sex	Pts
RAIN IN HOLLAND (SAF)	3	F	86
CHANSONETTE (SAF)	3	F	72
BIG BURN (SAF)	3	F	54
UNDER YOUR SPELL (SAF)	3	F	45
SPRINKLES (SAF)	3	F	42

Champion Older Male	Age	Sex	Pts
JET DARK (SAF)	4	C	104
KOMMETDIEDING (SAF)	4	C	84
MK’S PRIDE (SAF)	4	C	83
AL MUTHANA (AUS)	4	G	68
ASTRIX (SAF)	5	G	68

Champion Older Female	Age	Sex	Pts
CAPTAIN’S RANSOM (SAF)	4	F	108
SPARKLING WATER (SAF)	4	F	107
PRINCESS CALLA (SAF)	4	F	52
SHE’S A KEEPER (SAF)	5	M	32
MARINA (SAF)	4	F	32

Champion Sprinter	Age	Sex	Pts
ALESIAN CHIEF (SAF)	3	C	45
MASTER ARCHIE (SAF)	3	C	40
BOHICA (SAF)	5	G	40
BIG BURN (SAF)	3	F	36
CAPTAIN’S RANSOM (SAF)	4	F	32

Champion Miler	Age	Sex	Pts
MK’S PRIDE (SAF)	4	C	83
AL MUTHANA (AUS)	4	G	68
JET DARK (SAF)	4	C	60
PRINCESS CALLA (SAF)	4	F	48
CAPTAIN’S RANSOM (SAF)	4	F	44

Champion Middle Distance	Age	Sex	Pts
SPARKLING WATER (SAF)	4	F	79
ASTRIX (SAF)	5	G	54
KOMMETDIEDING (SAF)	4	C	48
JET DARK (SAF)	4	C	44
FLYING CARPET (SAF)	4	C	38

Champion Stayer	Age	Sex	Pts
BLACK THORN (SAF)	4	G	21
SPARKLING WATER (SAF)	4	F	20
NEBRAAS (SAF)	5	G	20
PINK TOURMALINE (SAF)	4	F	16
SALVATOR MUNDI (SAF)	4	G	11

Champion Two-Year-Old Male	Age	Sex	Pts
THUNDERSTRUCK (SAF)	2	C	32
COUSIN CASEY (SAF)	2	C	24
NOW I GOT YOU (SAF)	2	G	16
PROPHET (SAF)	2	G	16
KARANGETANG (SAF)	2	C	16

Champion Two-Year-Old Female	Age	Sex	Pts
SWEET PEPPER (SAF)	2	F	32
AMEENA (SAF)	2	F	24
GLITTERING GIRL (SAF)	2	F	16
MAHARANEE (SAF)	2	F	16
MISS COOL (SAF)	2	F	16

“It’s Massive” – Gareth van Zyl after Garden Province Victory

Gareth van Zyl spoke to Turf Talk after winning Saturday’s Grade 1 Brentford FC Garden Province Stakes with Gimmethegreenlight five-year-old mare She’s A Keeper under Warren Kennedy.

“It’s hugely rewarding because we went to Cape Town to pursue a Group 1, went to Jo’burg and now back on our home course we avhieved it. It was the last throw of the dice because she goes to stud at the end of the season, so it’s massive … it’s kust wonderful.”

The thought of winning was not on the minds of most of the connections involved in the race because the might Captain’s Ransom looked to be the proverbial racing certainty.

Van Zyl was included among those and admitted, “I didn’t allow myself to think of winning. I ruled that out of my thought process. To me it was a matter of hopefully running second or third. I didn’t dare to dream, but every now and then racing comes and gives you the most delightful experience and that happened today.”

Robert Knuppe and Jonathan Connellan of the Missing U syndicate originally had the filly with Yvette Bremner in the Eastern Cape.

However, upon the owners’ wanting to move her to Durban, Bremner recommended the Van Zyl yard.

It didn’t start well at Summerveld because she attained a tendon strain as a two-year-old.

She made a belated debut in the December of her four-year-old year and ran a good third over1200m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville.

She then rattled off five wins in succession. including the Grade 2 WSB 1900.

She then ran unplaced in the July, but ended the season with a win in the Grade 2 Kuda Gold Bracelet over 2000m on Marshalls World Of Sport Gold Cup day.

She win the Listed East Coast Cup over the Gold Bracelet course and distance, so has won five stakes races in total, because she won the Listed WSB Scarlet Lady over 1750m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville before her WSB 1900 win last season.

That is some trainimg feat for a filly coming back from a tendon strain.

On Saturday, she did not jump well from pole position, so the slow pace was in her favour as it allowed Warren Kennedy to ease her into the race and sit in midfield in the ten horse field.

Meanwhile, Captain’s Ransom had jumped well from draw 8 and that was not in her favour as she began fighting when Richard Fourie reined her back.

She’s A Keeper stuck to the inside in the straight and ran on well to win by a comfortable two lengths.

Marina (Silvano) ran on well for second from joint last in the running to finish second, pipping the Grade 1 Woolavington 2000 winner Silver Darling (Silvano).

It was a pity Marina could not qualify for the Hollywoodbets Durban July because she likely would have run a big race over a distance she would have relished.

Captain’s Ransom was clearly not moving up well enough in the early part of the straight to win, althouggh she did produce her usual late surge to claim fourth place.

She does not enjoy Hollywoodets Greyville and another explanation offered for the run was the fireworks let off after the July victory ceremony had upset her.

That was her last run of the season, but she will be seen again in the Cape Summer Season.

The time of the Graden Province was in fact 1,20 seconds slower than the subsequent Listed Compendium Inurance Brokers Handicap over the same trip. That showed just how slowly they went.

Nevertheless, She’s A Keeper deserved a Grade 1 success having had to continually face members of the exceptional crop a year younger than her.

Picture: Candiese Lenferna

Entry Form For CTS Ready To Run
& Unbroken Two Year Old Sale 2022

29 October 2022

Entry Form Closing Date 30 July 2022

CLICK HERE FOR ENTRY FORM: CTS RTR SALE 2022.pdf

The CTS RTR SALE 2022 will be held at Kenilworth Racecourse.

Please complete the above form IN FULL and return to: entries@cthbs.com

Contact And EFT Details are listed on the Entry form.

Pettigrew Loves Flower Alley Fillies

Stuart Pettigrew is a trainer whose horses continually improve and it was not surprising his maiden Feather Boa won the R400,000 BSA Sales Cup over 1300m on Hollywoodbets Durban July day.

His simple explanation for buying her was, “I love Flower Alleys. But I only buy the fillies. So she was a Flower Alley filly and was very well put together.”

He bought her for R200,000 at the BSA August Two-year-old Sale and she is owned today by Messrs W D Jackson, M J Campbell, A D Marx & C C Valjalo.

It was fitting that the first two winner of the day were bred by Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein, considering Mary Slack went on to win her first July as an owner.

Richard Fourie dropped the chestnut filly out to last from a wide draw of 12.

In the straight he switched her right to the outside and she ran on strongly to get up a tad cosily by 0,40 lengths from the Ivan and Darryl Moore-trained Canadian Summer (Oratorio).

The Fanie Bronkhorst-trained Kill Shot (Elusive Fort) was third ahead of the Justin Snaith-trained Butterfly Beauty (Elusive Fort) and the Billy Ruiters-trained Miss Daisy (Crusade).

Pettigrew has a fine record at Hollywoodbets Greyville over the last five years.

He has sent out 23 runners for ten wins, a strike rate of just over 43%.

These wins include the Grade 1 Thekwini with Anything Goes (Var), whom he said was the best filly he ever trained.

She unfortunately had to be retired after just three runs as a three-year-old due to an ongoing joint issue and she is now at stud.

Picture: Feather Boa (Candiese Lenferna)

Boland Stud Success In KZN And Hong Kong

Eugene Freeman’s Boland Stud enjoyed a fine weekend.

Not only was the Grade 2 Al Khayl Breeders-bred Ameena (Quasillo) born on their farm but the next day they had a winner in Hong Kong.

Royal Agility (Mambo In Seattle) was fittingly brought home by reigning SA Champion jockey Lyle Hewitson to win a class 4 event over 1200m at Sha Tin by a facile 4,75 lengths.

That was the six-year-old gelding’s second win on the island, although he did have to drop from to an 80 Hong Kong rating to a 40 before winning there for the first time two runs ago.

Formerly known as Vontreo he raced here for Sean Tarry and won his maiden second time out before finishing a 0,70 length third to Hawwaam in the Grade 3 Tony Ruffell Stakes.

He subsequently finished a 6,70 length fifth in the Grade 2 WSB Gauteng Guineas before departing for Hong Kong.

Picture: Royal Agility winning (Hkjc.com)

Peter Fast Approaching Tarry’s 215 Record

Paul Peter scored a treble on today’s Turffontein Inside track, two of them ridden by Muzi Yeni and he is now just six shy of Sean Tarry’s record number of wins in one season – 215.

Peter’s 209 wins have come at a strike rate of 18.59%.

Yeni’s double took him to 149 winners for the season at a strike rate of 11.38%.

Picture: MK “Koos” Nkale and Paul and Marcel Peter at Hollywoodbets Greyville recently.