Please Note: South African Quartet Pools with fractional betting offered at Catterick and Taunton (UK) – 22 April 2026

David Thiselton

Craig Zackey reached the 200 wins mark for the season with a treble at Turffontein Standside on Sunday and he now has the national Jockeys Championship within reach.

He took the lead at the end of November, but Richard Fourie and him then went neck and neck for a couple of months and were both on 61 wins at the end of October.

However, Zackey then pulled clear and was 14 wins ahead at the end of November.

Richard Fourie showed good foresight at that stage by saying Craig should be the favourite for the title.

Hollywoodbets had Fourie at 9/10 and Zackey at 11/10 at that stage.

However, Fourie said, “I think they’ve got it all wrong, I think Craig Zackey should be 4/10. He’s working phenomenally well. He’s riding well. He’s travelling every day. I’ve made it very clear, I’ll go up and ride the feature race days, but I enjoy working in Cape Town and riding for Ridgemont.”

He added, “My aim is to ride as many winners as I can on the days that I ride. I’m concentrating on winning big races and working with my team.”

However, he did conclude by saying he might increase his travelling if he was within striking distance in the last couple of months of the season.

He said, “If I’m within reach of it, I’ll give it a full go.”

The gap had come down to 12 by the end of December.

However, a relatively bleak spell for Fourie was exacerbated by a couple of suspensions and he only had 38 wins in the next three months.

Zackey maintained a steady flow of wins and his 71 wins in that period saw him building up a big lead.

After Sunday’s treble he was 48 wins clear, although both riders have been in fine form this month with Zackey’s 20 wins coming at a strike rate of 27.03% and Fourie’s 17 wins coming at 26.56%.

Zackey’s confidence was buoyed by his win in South Africa’s traditional biggest race last season, the Hollywoodbets Durban July.

It was the career of the great Michael Roberts which illustrated the importance of winning the July. This race eluded him through the 70s, the 80s and much of the 90s until he finally won it in 1997 on the David Ferraris-trained Super Quality and he has shared since then how non-racing people in South Africa judge a jockey on one fact, whether he has won the July or not. It is only racing people who know about the championships and other big race wins.

So with that monkey off his back, Zackey was able to put behind him the disappointment of last season’s championship in which a late suspension put paid to his chances of a first title.

He has enjoyed a lot of feature race success too this season with four Gr 1 wins, including the prestigious L’Ormarins King’s Plate on July winner The Real Prince, four Gr 2 wins, two Gr 3 wins, five Listed wins and four Non-Black Type feature wins.

In all three of his wins on Sunday Zackey displayed his outstanding judgement of pace.

In his first win he was aboard the Candice and Tammy Dawson-trained two-year-old Master Of My Fate filly Doesyourmotherknow in a Maiden Juvenile Plate for fillies over 1400m. The filly had over-raced a bit in her previous start, but that did not stop Zackey from taking her to the front on Sunday. It was his first race ride on her and he had her nice and relaxed on a long rein. She looked in trouble, to some, when the market rival, the grey Erik The Red filly Impressive, who had also relaxed well in the running, swept past her at the 400m mark still in the hands. However, Craig had left plenty in reserve. Doesyourmotherknow fought back and in the end won going away by 1,75 lengths.

In the next race over the same course and distance Zackey relaxed the Lucky Houdalakis-trained Querari gelding Best Candidate from the off and had him moving comfortably on the rail near the back from draw three. It was his first run as a gelding and he had been backed in from 10/1 to 4/1. However, Zackey did not panic when Brave Waam stole a march with the fancied Quevano chasing him, which left Best Candidate with many lengths to make up. In fact Zackey only drew the stick at about the 300m mark. Quevano had caught Brave Waam by the 200m mark and looked like the winner with Best Candidate still having about three lengths to make up. However, Best Candidate ate up the ground in the last 100m, showing that Zackey had once again timed it to perfection, and he got up in the last stride to win by 0,30 lengths.

In the next race over 1600m Zackey found himself one out and one back without cover on Pressonregardless, but managed to relax him on a beautiful long rein in a Pinnacle Stakes race. The gelding had no cover in the straight either, but showed his class by stretching way from the fancied Kisshoten and then under strong urgings from Zackey followed by a deft change of whiphand he managed to repel the  challenge of Sunset Riot to win by 1,20 lengths. Zackey had made all the difference once again.

Craig will be a thoroughly deserving champion if everything goes smoothly enough in the final quarter of the season for him to hold on to his lead.

There will also be a few opportunities for him to build on his Gr 1 record during the Champions Season.

RACE 1

(4) POWEROFPEACE ran well on debut and will go very close to winning with Craig Zackey aboard. (3) RULES OF CONDUCT made good progress in his second start and will be a huge contender. (1) FLYING SKITT is likely to improve after 2 runs and can go into the trifecta. (5) PRINCESS OF AJIAAL is capable of running into the quartets. (Devonne Govender 4-3-1-5)

RACE 2

(8) FONTE is making progress with every start and can get much closer, needs respect. (1) PERFECT IMPACT is holding form and will get much closer, needs respect. (7) TIMELINE is a horse that is capable of popping up here so include in larger perms. (4) FANTINE is a horse that can improve and run into the quartet. (6) SALOON GIRL represents Cape form and is another to keep a close eye on. (Devonne Govender 8-1-7-4-6)

RACE 3

(7) WITHOUT HESITATION is holding form and will be a serious contender here, massive chance. (3) XTINES PRINCESS is capable of making huge improvement here and can get into the actions, she represents strong Cape form and will be a challenger. (1) GALACTIC BEAUTY is capable of improving and getting into the money with Kyle Strydom aboard. (8) THE SCARLET CAT is capable of getting much closer. (Devonne Govender 7-3-1-8)

RACE 4

(4) GLOBAL ALLY ran extremely well in the last start and will be a strong contender. (1) BOURNEMOUTH is classy and ran a decent enough race so needs to be respected. (2) FIREALLEY is capable of getting into the mix and should be right there. (6) MAKHACHEV wasn’t beaten far in the last start and can go into the quartets. (Devonne Govender 4-1-2-6)

RACE 5

(3) LANA VIEW ran extremely well in her last start and has shown she is capable of a big finish on her day, she needs to be respected. (2) TERMINAL VELOCITY ran well after exiting the maiden and should run another decent race. (1) LEBOMBO GOLD has scope to go well, she gets a decent enough draw and should be in the mix. (9) PRESERVE FOREVER hasn’t been far and can get into the quartets. (Devonne Govender 3-2-1-9)

RACE 6

(3) ROYAL MERMAID is holding solid form and will be a massive contender here, she goes well on the poly and could be hard to beat. (2) OCEAN FLAME placed at huge odds in her last start and if repeating that performance she will be a challenger. (5) ROCKIE BLUE wasn’t beaten far in her last start and is capable of getting much closer. (7) ENDEARED gets the claimer up and could be a decent place inclusion here. (Devonne Govender 3-2-5-7)

RACE 7

(2) ICED MARMALADE was an impressive maiden winner and has plenty of scope to go well here, she needs to be respected. (1) AADEHYA can get closer on best form, he is speedy and will be in the mix. (3) WORLD PHAROAH is capable of much better and can get closer on best form. (5) TRAVEL MASTER is capable on his day and can pop up. (Devonne Govender 2-1-3-5)

RACE 8

(7) GENOVEFA ran a cracker in the last start and is holding solid form hence she is the firm first selection. (4) WHIRLYBIRD hasn’t been far in recent starts and should get closer. (1) BACK FOR MORE gets a decent draw this time and is capable of running a big race, include in everything. (9) DANCING IN WINTER is a very honest type, although she has a tough draw she can get into the mix on best form. (Devonne Govender 7-4-1-9)

Soccer13 Wednesday 22 April 2026. Carryover R2 499 702. R5.5 Million (All-13-Correct Jackpot Pool). Pool Closes at 18h30. Sport 11 Pool 1.

Soccer10 Friday 24 April 2026. Carryover R200 000. Estimated Pool: R2 Million. Pool Closes at 19h30. Sport 16 and Pool 1.

Soccer4 Saturday 25 April 2026. ADD-IN R25 000. Estimated Pool: R 150 000. Pool Closes at 16h00. Sport 18 Pool 2.

Soccer10 Saturday 25 April 2026. Carryover R200 000. Estimated Pool: R2 Million. Pool Closes at 15h00. Sport 12 and Pool 1.

Soccer Any 13Xtra Saturday 25 April 2026. Carryover R200 000. Estimated Pool: R500 000. Pool Closes at 15h00. Sport 13 and Pool 1.

Soccer13 GUARANTEED JACKPOT Saturday 25 April 2026. R23 Million (If only One 13 of 13 Winner). Pool Closes at 15h30. Sport 10 Pool 1.

Soccer6 Sunday 26 April 2026. ADD-IN R75 000. Estimated Pool: R500 000. Pool Closes at 15h00. Sport 3 Pool 1.

Soccer10 Sunday 26 April 2026. Carryover R200 000. Estimated Pool: R2 Million. Pool Closes at 15h00. Sport 15 and Pool 1.

David Thiselton

 

There was plenty to be excited about in South African racing over the weekend from both a racing and sales perspective.

 

The record-breaking BSA National Yearling Sales looked set to be the chief news until a Gaynor Rupert-homebred filly called I’m The One put up such an impressive debut at Newbury in the UK on Friday that she has been installed as the Epsom Oaks favourite.

 

The Sea The Stars filly pulled six lengths clear of the opposition in effortless fashion under William Buick in the Maiden Stakes event over a mile and two furlongs.

The win made headlines in many UK racing publications and newspaper racing pages.

The John and Thady Gosden-trained filly is out of  the German-bred Camelot mare Sunny Queen, whom Gaynor Rupert’s UK-based Cayton Park Stud purchased just before she won the Gr 1 Grosser Preis von Bayern over 2400m in Germany in November 2020.

Sea The Stars has German blood in him via his dam Urban Sea, who could claim to be the greatest broodmare of all time considering she is also the dam of Galileo and others, so the cross with this German-bred mare was always going to be interesting.

I’m The One started as even money favourite.

She had obviously been showing a lot at home and in fact there have been some observers at Newmarket who have been calling her “the next Enable”.

The win was particularly impressive because there was a big crowd and she also had to be used up early to some extent from a wide draw, both scenarios are not easy for a first-timer to overcome, but she took the preliminaries in her stride and looked superior to the opposition throughout the race.

She won as if she had been dropped into the race at the three furlong mark and displayed an impressive action.

Thady Gosden said after the win, “A trial for the Oaks would be the obvious next step and we’ll see how she comes out of this and there’s a couple of options. Very possibly we could go to York (for the Musidora, May 13) and there is the mile-and-a-quarter race back here as well (Childwickbury Stud Fillies’ Trial Stakes, May 16). But we will need to discuss it with Mrs Rupert.”

The BSA National Yearling Sales saw records tumbling with new marks set for all of aggregate (208,000,000), average (R647,975) and median (R425,000).

Vercingetorix was all the rage as usual and was leading sire with 29 lots sold raking in R46,200,000 for an average of 1,593,103 and he was followed by Gimmethegreenlight (27, R30,300,000, R1,122,222), Rafeef (29, R26,325,000, R907,759), Jet Dark (18, R13,150,000, R730,556) and Master Of My Fate (15, R11,380,000, R758,667).

Vercingetorix had the top colt and top filly on Day one. The former, a Lammerskraal Stud-bred son of Gr 1 Garden Province-winning Western Winter mare Redberry Lane, was purchased for R5,25 million by Form Bloodstock.

The topselling filly was a Varsfontein Stud-bred daughter of the Gr1 Premiers Champion Stakes winner Sentbydestiny (Master Of My Fate), which makes her a three-parts sister to the multiple Gr 1-winning Equus Champion Double Grand Slam. Adam Marcus Racing was the buyer for R4,75 million.

Vercingetorix had the top lot on Day 2 also, a Wilgerbosdrift Stud-bred filly out of Oasis Dream mare Welwitschia, who went for R4.6 million, purchased by Form Bloodstock.

Jet Dark, who had a Varsfontein Stud-bred filly bought by Al Khayl Breeders for R4 million, and Rafeef, who had a Boland Stud-bred colt bought by the Hong Kong Jockey Club for R3.4 million, were the only other sires who had lots go for over R3 million.

Varsfontein Stud were the top vendors, selling 30 yearlings at an aggregate of R32 150 000 for an average of R1 071 667.

Form Bloodstock were the biggest buyers, spending R29 650 000 on their 19 purchases at an average of R1 560 526, while Jonathan Snaith had another big Sale, buying 20 yearlings for R16 900 000 at an average of R845 000.

The overseas buyers were headed by the Hong Kong Jockey Club, who have become staunch supporters of South African racing, and their four yearlings cost them R7 300 000.

Jonathan Snaith said, ““Buyers were understandably selective, but once they identified the right individuals, they were prepared to compete strongly. That level of intent speaks volumes about the confidence in the yearlings on offer.”

He added, “It’s particularly pleasing to see correct, well-prepared horses consistently recognised and valued by the market, with breeders being handsomely rewarded. From a bloodstock perspective, the message is clear: quality continues to sell, and it sells well. There is genuine depth in the buying bench, along with a willingness to invest in the right horses. That’s a very positive signal for the strength and sustainability of the racing industry, and both 4Racing and Race Coast will be delighted with these results.”

The highlight of the Hollywoodbets Kenilworth meeting on Saturday was the victory of Vercingetorix colt Ferryman.

Eric Sands famously trained Rainbow Bridge (Ideal World) and his half-brother Golden Ducat (Philanthropist) to multiple Gr 1 wins and he has recently turned around the fortunes of another one of their siblings, Foudre (Fire Away), who is unbeaten in three starts since joining his yard as a non-winner in five starts.  Sands was grateful to Andre Nel and praised him for putting the horse and his owner first by recommending to owner Sabine Plattner that the latest sibling of those horses to race, Ferryman, be sent to Sands’ yard. The Wilgerbosdrift colt out of the wonder mare Halfway To Heaven (Jet Master) duly made a winning debut for Sands in his third career start, winning an Open Maiden over 1400m cosily under Calvin Habib. Hawwaam is another sibling of the family, so it is not surprising Ferryman cost R2,8 million. Hopefully he can follow in his best siblings’ footsteps.

Yesterday Craig Zackey passed the 200 mark for the season with a treble at Turffontein Standside taking him to 201 and in Hong Kong Zak Purton reached his century for the season.