Author Archives: Yegan Kander

Jockey of the Month – March 2025

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Andrew Fortune

The Gold Circle Jockey of the Month is generally reserved for KZN-based riders but the table was headed by Kabelo Matsunyane with six wins with Tristan Godden and Muzi Yeni next best with four each. However, Andrew Fortune, riding in his first meeting in KZN since regaining his jockey lisence put in what was arguably the finest ride of the month when scoring on Peter Muscutt’s runner Nelson Bay. It was a master class in jockeyship and a race that stands repeated viewing. “It’s very seldom they get the honey pot out of my hands,” Fortune quipped post-race.

Andrew Fortune is Gold Circle’s Jockey of the Month for March

TICKETS NOW ON SALE FOR THE 129TH HOLLYWOODBETS DURBAN JULY!

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Durban, South Africa – The countdown has begun! The 129th edition of Africa’s premier horse racing and social spectacular, the Hollywoodbets Durban July (HDJ), is set to take place on Saturday, 5th July 2025, at the iconic Hollywoodbets Greyville Racecourse. As the most anticipated fixture on South Africa’s racing calendar, the event seamlessly blends world-class horse racing with high fashion, entertainment, and a memorable social experience.

Staying true to the theme of “Marvels of Mzansi,” this year’s racing extravaganza promises an iconic line-up of South African talent, featuring a diverse array of artists set to captivate all attendees throughout the day. The national anthem will be beautifully performed by one of the country’s leading songstresses – look out for the reveal in May. With these performances, the thousands of attendees expected at Hollywoodbets Greyville will have a memorable experience. Stay tuned for the full artist line-up. All ticket holders can look forward to a day filled with live entertainment that will be talked about for years to come, as this year’s HDJ celebrates Mzansi’s vibrant spirit. 

Tickets for this outstanding event are now officially on sale via Ticketpro (www.ticketpro.co.za). Priced at R230 for general admission, your ticket grants access to a day of thrilling racing action, live entertainment, fashion showcases, gourmet food experiences, and an array of engaging activations from event partners. For added convenience, onsite parking is available for R170 per vehicle.

For those seeking an elevated experience, the VIP hospitality packages provide exclusive access to luxurious enclosures, premium viewing areas, and top-tier catering. These options can be explored on the official event website (www.hollywoodbetsdurbanjuly.co.za). Please note that VIP hospitality packages do not include general admission tickets, which must be purchased separately via Ticketpro.

This year’s theme, “Marvels Of Mzansi”, was unveiled in late February, marking the official commencement of the Hollywoodbets Durban July Fashion Experience, presented by Durban Fashion Fair. The fashion programme includes the much-anticipated HDJ Young Designer Award, showcasing the best up-and-coming talents from KwaZulu-Natal. The winners will share the spotlight with the HDJ Invited Designers and DFF Rising Stars at the HDJ Fashion Preview Gala, set to take place at Gateway Theatre of Shopping in late June.

Racing enthusiasts can also look forward to the announcement of the first official entrants on Wednesday, 23 April 2025. With last year’s champion, Oriental Charm, emerging as the early ante-post favourite, excitement is already building. 

Secure your tickets today and experience Africa’s greatest horse racing and social event, the Hollywoodbets Durban July!

Jockey of the Month – December 2024

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Apprentice Damyan Pillay

Sean Veale, who now plies his trade between KZN and the Western Cape, was KZN’s leading jockey in December, winning ten races at an average of 25%. However, he was upstaged by apprentice Damyan Pillay with four winners from just 19 rides. Damyan scored his first ever win aboard Red Mountain for Robbie Hill back in early September and has since ridden six more winners, four of those coming in December at a 21% winning strike rate.

Damyan is Gold Circle’s Jockey of the Month for December.

Trainer of the Month – December 2024

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Frank Robinson

Frank Robinson has been in the sport all of his life. Starting out as assistant to Herman Brown Jnr at Ashburton before moving on to Summerveld-based Herman Brown Snr when Brown’s son moved to Dubai. Frank recently teamed up with owner Sid Moodley and the pair have built up a winning relationship. Robinson saddled seven winners from just 17 runners at an impressive 41% winning strike rate.

Frank is Gold Circle’s Trainer of the Month for December.

Jockey of the Month – January 2025

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Tristan Godden

With the top jockeys flitting around the country with their services in demand it is something of an indictment that half of the names on the log of the top ten in KZN are visiting riders. However, Tristan Godden and Rachel Venniker flew the local flag in January, Tristan with six wins and Rachel five. Tristan has matured into a top rider and his services are in demand when not riding for Mike Miller as his retained rider and he seldom ventures outside of the province. 

Tristan is Gold Circle’s Jockey of the Month for January.

Trainer of the Month – January 2025

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Stuart Ferrie

Stuart Ferrie rounded off January with a double at Hollywoodbets Greyville to take his monthly winning tally to five.  The number of winners was evenly spread between a host of trainers, Mike Miller saddling four and notably Mike de Kock, now resident in KZN, with three along with Louis Goosen, Michael Roberts and Frank Robinson. But Ferrie’s runners struck at a 31% strike rate and a R1 bet on his each of his 16 runners came with an overall profit of R10.30.

Stuart is Gold Circle’s Trainer of the Month for January.

Trainer of the Month – February 2025

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Nicolette Roscoe

There was congestion at the top of the local trainer’s log with three trainers recording four wins, Gareth van Zyl, Paul Lafferty and Dean Kannemeyer. However, Dean’s four wins came from just nine runners at a healthy 44% strike rate. With Dean mostly in Cape Town for their season and scoring a memorable treble on Splash Out Cape Derby Day, accolades should probably go to his KZN assistant who holds the Summerveld fort, Nicolette Roscoe.

Nicolette is Gold Circle’s Trainer of the Month for February

Jockey of the Month – February 2025

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Serino Moodley

Serino Moodley cemented his place at the top of the local jockey standings with a timely treble at Hollywoodbets Scottsville to round off the month. He took advantage of Muzi Yeni’s and Tristan Godden’s absence to answer trainer MJ Odendaal’s call. Serino is regularly in the top five and headed February’s standings with eight winners, two more than runner-up Tristan Godden.

Serino is Gold Circle’s Jockey of the Month for February