David Thiselton

German thoroughbred breeding has been massively influential in Europe, while South Africa has now had two champion sires that originate from German bloodlines, the German-bred Silvano and his phenomenal record-setting son Vercingetorix.

Silvano and Vercingetorix were and are respectively based at German breeder Andreas Jacob’s Maine Chance Farms, who also stand the German-bred Querari and did stand the German-bred Quasillo.

When researching where the class of German bloodlines originates from a certain stallion keeps on cropping up and it is amazing this horse, a German Derby winner called Alchimist, is no more than a footnote in thoroughbred history.

The Prix de l’Arc de Triompe is generally regarded as the pinnacle turf flat race in the world and it will be a rare occasion that Alchimist does not appear in the pedigree of the winner, the reason being he appears twice in the pedigree of Urban Sea, who is dam of Galileo, the most successful sire in thoroughbred history.

Galileo is the only sire in history to sire over 100 Gr 1 winners.

Urban Sea is one of the greatest broodmares in thoroughbred history as she also produced Sea The Stars, who is regarded as one of the greatest racehorses of all time having won the 2000 Guineas, the Eclipse, the Derby, the Juddmonte Internation, the Irish Champion Stakes and the Arc in the same year. His progeny have won classic races including the Derby, Irish Derby, and the Oaks.

Urban Sea’s third dam is by Alchimist’s German Derby-winning son Birkahn.

Urban Sea’s damsire is Lombard, whose sire Agio is out of an Alchimist mare.

Last year’s Arc winner Bluestocking was the first Arc winner to have no copies of Alchimist in her since 2015 winner Golden Horn.

Of course, one can take any top stallion in history and find an arbitrary horse in his pedigree and point to him or her appearing in a long list of champions.

However, where it gets interesting with Alchimist is the many Arc winners who have him in their pedigrees without the trace back from Urban Sea.

The 2023 Arc winner Ace Impact, for example, has four copies of Alchimist. He is by Frankel’s son Cracksman, so has the two copies of Alchimist from Urban Sea, but what is fascinating in this case is that Ace Impact’s damsire is inbred 5X4 to Urban Sea’s dam Allegretta, who is by German-bred Lombard out of German-bred Anatevka. Allegretta is inbred 4X4 to Alchimist.

Where it gets really interesting with Alchimist is that he appears no fewer than five times in the pedigree of the 2021 Arc winner, the German-bred Torquator Tasso, and that horse does not have Urban Sea in his pedigree.

Interestingly, Almyra, the third dam of Urban Sea, is a bottom line female on the pedigree of both Torquator Tasso’s sire Alderflug and his dam Tijuana (Toylsome). Almyra is by Alchimist’s son Birkahn.

Alchimist also appears five times in the pedigree of the 2019 Arc winner Waldgeist, who is by Galileo and from a German female line.

Alchimist is the granddam sire of Germany’s first Arc winner in 1975, Star Appeal, and appears in the pedigree of the 2011 German-bred Arc winner Danedream.

The German-bred Silvano was by the Nijinsky sire Nininski and was out of a dam by Surumu, who was a six-times champion sire and twice Champion Broodmare sire. Surumu was bred by the Jacobs family’s Germany-based stud Gestüt Fährhof and is a son of Literat, who is a son of Alchmist’s son Birkahn.

Querari is a regular top six stallion in South Africa and his dam also hails from the Surumu-Alchimist sire line.

Quasillo had three copies of Alchimist as his sire was Sea The Stars and he is a half-brother to Querari.

Their dam was by the Gestüt Fährhof-bred champion Acatenango, who won seven Gr 1s and whose progeny include Lando, who was ridden to Japan Cup glory by South Africa’s Michael “Muis” Roberts. Acatenango is a son of Surumu’s.

The Jacobs family-bred Surumu appears twice in the pedigree of 2019 Arc winner Waldgeist and Acatenango is sire of his third dam.

2011 Arc winner Danedream is a paternal half-brother to Silvano, being by Lomitas.

Silvano is not only a six-times Champion sire, but also the most successful Hollywoodbets Durban July sires in history, as is well documented.

Vercingetorix is the current champion sire and smashed a numerous records to get there, his progeny accumulating the most stakes ever in a season and he produced the most stakes winners ever in a season, not to mention his Sale prices obliterating previous records.

Alchimist must have had some influence on their strong bloodlines.

And yet he is just a footnote in history.

In the Graham Sharpe book “Classic Horseracing Quotes” the following insert appears:

German Derby winner Alchimist became an unusual casualty of World War II. The grooms at Gradiz, where the highly valued stallion was at stud, fled the advancing Russian troops who relieved their starvation by tucking into what must be one of the most expensive meals ever consumed.

Other accounts put it a bit differently and states the Gradiz staff took the stallion with them when fleeing, but were not allowed by the Americans to cross the border. The Russians, who were aware of the value of thoroughbred stallions, only killed the horse as a last resort after he refused to load on to their truck.

Alchimist has nevertheless been a major influence despite his untimely demise as a fifteen-year-old, but he gets scant recognition.

Andrew Harrison

The Hollywoodbets Greyville turf hosts and eight-race card today headed by a Progress Plate over 1400m.

Former Champion Jockey turned trainer Mark Khan makes his first visit to KZN as a trainer and saddles two runners. Best could be Solar Sail with stable rider Jarred Penny aboard and they could open the Pick 6. The son of Querari has taken his chances in top company and finished a close-up third to Legend Of Arthur in the Gr1 SA Derby last time out. At face value, this 1400m trip should be on the sharp side but horses with a touch of class tend to run well over any distance. He got a seemingly ridiculous 29-point raise in the handicap for his Derby effort so it will be interesting to see how he fares here.

Frikkie Greyling saddles Go Grayson Go  who has been knocking at the door for some time now and is well in at the weights.  He is ideally suited to this trip. Visiting Paul Matchett sends out Two Miles West who has not been out of the money in his last four starts. The trip will suit and he has a neat draw. Khan’s second runner, Coppola is effective over the trip but has a wide draw to contend with.

Second leg of the Pick 6 is an Open Maiden. Capricious Miss got a 10-point hike in the ratings after her much improved last run and she obviously enjoyed the poly and the switch back to turf could be an issue. From pole position she should be competitive again. At the other end of the barrier, Chericherilady has her first run for Paul Gadsby and comes with some fair Highveld form to commend her. She does not meet a strong field and could win first up for her new stable. Ms Galore caught the eye in all three of her starts suggesting that she is much better than her form would suggest. She has been rested but comes from a form stable.

The fifth is an open Class 5 handicap that could go the way of One Irish Rover.  He was narrowly beaten by his stable companion Lou Lou The Legend last time out on the poly and his last win was over this distance. Stuart Ferrie saddles Lions Eye who has improved at recent outings and Hollywood Racing’s retained rider Sean Veale has chosen this mount ahead of Purple Powahouse who looks to be the best of Alyson Wright’s three runners. The nine-year-old has solid form over the distance and should be competitive again.

Dean Kannemeyer is planning to head back to his Cape Town base towards the end of August after a successful Champions Season. He saddles recent maiden winner Star In Motion in the sixth but he had consistent form leading up to that win and that form has been franked. Cardinal Chief won second time out for Garth Puller and looks progressive. He has a handy weight and this trip should suit. Run Forest Run was a late starter and obviously has some issues. He had his third run when shedding his maiden back in May but does appear to have some scope.

It’s tough to win three races on the bounce but Lucinda Woodruff charge Wing Walker has made steady progress and is unbeaten on the poly. He was doing his best work late last time out so the step up in trip should not be an issue but he is back on turf. Sea Shanty has been in mustard form on the Highveld  for Khan and has hardly moved in the handicap. He is over his optimum trip and will be a big threat to the first choice. King Of Numbers sees a rare foray into KZN by Brett Webber and is his only runner on the day. The gelding boasts consistent recent Highveld form and has a plum draw to help his chances.

A tricky Class 4 Handicap closes the card but School Policy made a smart local debut when a beaten favourite with the blinkers removed. She should improve on that showing. Drawn outside of her is Prom Queen who is holding form well but the draw is a concern for both. Happy Fortune has shown up well in two starts and is in a good space and must have a strong winning chance while Avernian Goddess is seldom out of the money and the step up in trip could bring out the best.

The first race has attracted one of the strongest maiden fields in some time. Mohave Prince was a tremendous second to the promising Green Gateway at just his second outing and has a good draw. Global Warrior raced green at long odds when close-up on debut but the winner Soldier Boy was deemed good enough to line up in Gr1 company. Wonderful Tonight was narrowly beaten over course and distance on debut and with that experience should be in the firing line. Carnarvon has useful Highveld form over the trip and has a strong winning chance while Master Du Rouvray has a wide draw and has been rested but shows some promise and from an inform stable.

Catch A Penny has placed in all 10 starts and should be good enough to see you through the first leg of the Place Accumulator.

RACE 1

Summary: One of the strongest maiden fields in some time lines up here. MOHAVE PRINCE (4) was a tremendous second to the promising Green Gateway at just his second outing. He has a good draw and has a strong winning chance. GLOBAL WARRIOR (5) raced green at long odds on debut but the winner Soldier Boy was deemed good enough to line up in Gr1 company. WONDERFUL TONIGHT (6) was narrowly beaten over course and distance on debut and with that experience should be in the firing line. CARNARVON (3) has useful Highveld form over the trip and has a strong winning chance. MASTER DU ROUVRAY (11) has a wide draw and has been rested but shows some promise from an inform stable. (Andrew Harrison: 4-5-6-3).

RACE 2

Summary: CATCH A PENNY (7) has placed in all 10 starts and should go close again. SPLASH OF LOVE (6) stays the trip. She should feature prominently in this line-up. OMNIA (3) has only had three outings and her best effort was over course and distance. INTRO (2) has put in two fair efforts with blinkers for her new stable. (Andrew Harrison: 7-6-3-2).

RACE 3

Summary: Mark Khan makes his first visit to KZN as a trainer and saddles two runners here. Best could be SOLAR SAIL (3) who has taken his chances in top company. This should be on the short side but he does have a touch of class. GO GRAYSON GO (6) has been knocking at the door and is well in at the weights. This trip will suit. TWO MILES WEST (4) has not been out of the money in his last four starts. The trip will suit and he has a neat draw. Khan’s second runner, COPPOLA (8) is effective over the trip but has a wide draw to contend with. (Andrew Harrison: 3-6-4-8).

RACE 4

Summary: CAPRICIOUS MISS (1) got a 10-points hike in the ratings after her much improved last run. She obviously enjoyed the poly and from pole position she should be competitive again. At the other end of the barrier, CHERICHERILADY (11) has her first run for Paul Gadsby. She comes with some fair Highveld form and does not meet a strong field. MS GALORE (7) caught the eye in all three of her starts suggesting that she is much better than her form would suggest. She has been rested but comes from a form stable. DI ROSA (5) is seldom too far back but struggling for her maiden win. (Andrew Harrison: 1-11-7-5).

RACE 5

Summary: Open handicap. ONE IRISH ROVER (4) was narrowly beaten by his stable companion Lou The Legend last time out on the poly. His last win was over this distance. LIONS EYE (2) has improved at recent outings and Sean Veale has chosen this ride ahead of PURPLE POWAHOUSE (8) who looks to be the best of Alyson Wright’s three runners. The nine-year-old has solid form over the course and distance and should be competitive again. Stable companion WHEREVERILAYMYHAT (6) has been consistent of late and has a money chance. (Andrew Harrison: 4-2-8-6).

RACE 6

Summary: STAR IN MOTION (6) was a maiden winner last time out but had consistent form leading up to that win that has been franked. CARDINAL CHIEF (5) won second time out for Garth Puller and looks progressive He has a handy weight and this trip should suit. RUN FOREST RUN (1) was a late starter and obviously has some issues. He had his third run when shedding his maiden back in May but does appear to have some scope. EL DANTE (10) surprised last time out. He has a big weight and a wide draw. (Andrew Harrison: 6-5-1-10).

RACE 7

Summary: It’s tough to win three races on the bounce but WING WALKER (5) has made steady progress and is unbeaten on the poly but switches to the turf. He was doing his best work late last time out so the step up in trip should not be an issue. SEA SHANTY (8) has been in mustard form on the Highveld and has hardly moved in the handicap. He is over his optimum trip and will be a big threat to the first choice. KING OF NUMBERS (1) sees a rare foray into KZN by Brett Webber. The gelding has consistent recent Highveld form and has a plum draw. The blinkers come off GRIFFIN PARK (2) as he steps up in trip with Sean Veale no doubt giving the feedback to MJ Odendaal. (Andrew Harrison: 5-8-1-2).

RACE 8

Summary: Tricky. SCHOOL POLICY (10) made a smart local debut when a beaten favourite and the blinkers removed, but should improve on that showing. Drawn outside of her is PROM QUEEN (11) who is holding form well. The draw is a concern. HAPPY FORTUNE (8) has shown up well in two starts and is in a good space and must have a strong winning chance. AVERNIAN GODDESS (4) is seldom out of the money and the step up in trip could bring out the best. (Andrew Harrison: 10-11-4-8)

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Race Coast to utilise Colossus tote technology to innovate its Horse Racing ‘exotic’ pools, as well as distributing Colossus’ sports pools.

Race Coast and Colossus today announced a partnership that will see Race Coast incorporate the Colossus tote platform adding the Cash Out and ‘Crowdbetting’ features to its multi-leg horse racing products, as well as immediately offering the Colossus Bets globally comingled sports pools to Race Coast online customers. The application of Cash Out to horse racing pools will be a first for the country of South Africa.   Dean Sawarjith, Race Coast, Acting Chief Operations Officer, commented: “The deal with Colossus will give our online customers access to the biggest comingled sporting jackpot pools, as well as enable us to apply the Colossus IP to horse racing pools in the future. We need to innovate to keep our horse racing proposition relevant for today’s younger audiences. We look forward to giving our customers access to the most flexible tote product in the world, where they can decide leg-by-leg how much of their bet to Cash Out. I’m particularly excited to enable our customers to create and join tickets via the Colossus ‘Crowdbetting’ feature, driving customer engagement forward.”   Paula Cara Farcas, Colossus Bets CEO said: “We are delighted that Race Coast now has access to our sports pools and our Cash Out and ‘Crowdbetting’ functionality via our tote platform. When we devised ‘Crowdbetting’ especially, we were confident it would be a game changer for the pari-mutuel industry and Race Coast’s endorsement gives us further confidence that appetite for this feature will only grow. Cash Out is a standard feature in multi-leg bets and parlays worldwide. All Tote operators must innovate if they wish to compete with a rapidly evolving market. Race Coast will become the first racing tote to utilise our technology in order to modernise their racing product, making it fit for 2025. We are really excited to work with Race Coast to ensure that their customers have access to the biggest and most engaging wagering products in racing.