Hollywoodbets Scottsville Sunday 19 July 2026 – Comments by Andrew Harrison

RACE 1

3 DANCING PARTY    1 MEKONG   4 PACIFIC MOOD   2 SEQUENTIAL

Preview: Of those that have run, DANCING PARTY (3) has made steady improvement and was close-up on this course last time out. MEKONG (1) has seldom been far back and gets first time blinkers which could see her improve.  PACIFIC MOOD (4) found some market support last run when trying further in the soft and can improve. SEQUENTIAL (2) took on males last run off a light weight and can improve. Of the unraced runners Mike and Mathew de Kock’s filly IBHOLA LOMLILO (6) could be worth watching in the betting. (Andrew Harrison: 3-1-4-2).

RACE 2

8 STEAMY WINDOWS   2 KID FROM THE SOUTH   6 OMKULU BOSS   3 THYME TO TALK

Preview: STEAMY WINDOWS (8) has been trying further but his two post maiden runs have been in feature company. He looks the part here. KID FROM THE SOUTH (2) shed his maiden last run but does look progressive and should be a factor. The filly THYME TO TALK (3) took on males on the poly last time out and has run two smart races.  She shed her maiden on debut on this course at lengthy odds. OMKULU BOSS (6) is a maiden but has found betting support at his last two and can go close. (Andrew Harrison: 8-2-6-3).

RACE 3

10 THELEIA    3 LOVECOMESKNOCKING   2 INDIGNATION   9 GIMME THE POWER

Preview: THELEIA (10) has had a short break and makes her local debut from a wide draw. However, she boasts some smart Cape form and should make a bold bid. LOVECOMESKNOCKING (3) has made steady improvement and was a close-up second over course and distance last time out. A favourable draw adds to her appeal. INDIGNATION (2) has made recent improvement and was not far back over course and distance last time out. She gets a useful 4kg claimer aboard from a good draw. GIMME THE POWER (9) has been knocking at the door for some time now. He last two starts have been on the poly and she can run into the money again. (Andrew Harrison: 10-3-2-9).

RACE 4

3 GIVE ME A CHANCE   6 OLD HARRY ROCKS   8 BAI YULU   7 HADRIAN’S WALL

Preview: GIVE ME A CHANCE (3) found some market support in his last Highveld sprint. He has champion elect Craig Zackey aboard and can pay his way for Paul Matchett. OLD HARRY ROCKS (6) showed up well on debut although starting at long odds. The run should have brought him on a few lengths. The filly BAI YULU (8) made marked improvement on first time blinkers over course and distance but does have a fair weight in this Open Maiden. HADRIAN’S WALL (7) was run out of it late last start. His best two have been over course and distance and he gets a 1.5kg allowance from the saddle but still has a big weight. (Andrew Harrison: 3-6-8-7).

RACE 5

8 TULIP FIELDS   7 LADYOFDISTINCTION   3 DE VLUGGE   4 MISS WORLD

Preview:  TULIP FIELDS (8) has a big weight but has been in good form of late and her last win came over the distance. A wide draw does not help but horses from this yard are generally dropped out to run on. LADYOFDISTINCTION (7) is back over what might be a more suitable trip. She is seldom out of the money. DE VLUGGE (3) has been rocketing up the ratings as she bids for her fifth successive win. However, all have bene on the poly which is a concern. MISS WORLD (4) has run two smart races for her new stable and now steps up in trip. (Andrew Harrison: 8-7-3-4).

RACE 6

2 HOP HOP SPINNEKOP   1 TAYLOR’S VERSION   5 LILAC IN WINTER   9 MISSISSIPPI SPICE

Preview: Open. HOP HOP SPINNEKOP (2) came from a mile back when touched off over course and distance last time out. Her apprentice does not claim but is riding with confidence. TAYLOR’S VERSON (1) has been much improved back in blinkers and her last three runs have been on this course. She has the best of the draw and should feature. Stable companion LILAC IN WINTER (5) had her latest win on this course and since has put in two fair efforts on the poly. She has a more than capable claiming apprentice aboard. MISSISSIPPI SPICE (9) has the widest draw but is seldom far back recently and has a handy weight. (Andrew Harrison: 2-1-5-9).

RACE 7

2 BUDDY BOY   1 FAST AND FREE   7 I AM INVICTUS   3 WICCAN WARRIOR

Preview: BUDDY BOY (2) was a fair third behind the useful Fortress Of Fire in a poly sprint last time out. He will enjoy the switch to turf back over what looks to be a more suitable trip. FAST AND FREE (1) has been trying much further but has not been far back. He could do better this shorter trip. I AM INVICTUS (7) was narrowly beaten over course and distance last time out. He is lightly raced and can go one better. Stable companion WICCAN WARRIOR (3) started at long odds when second last time out. Second recent run in blinkers and back on turf. (Andrew Harrison: 2-1-7-3).

RACE 8

4 FLAMETHROWER   3 IRON WILL   5 LUNCH MONEY   8 DIAMOND MAKER

Preview: FLAMETHROWER (4) has a big weight in spite of a claiming apprentice but he took on a strong feature race field first time out of the maidens and could prove too classy for this line-up. IRON WILL (3) lives up to his name and bids for his eighth win from 51 starts. He is quick and with a 4kg claimer aboard he must have a strong chance. LUNCH MONEY (5) has smart poly form and should make a bold bid in spite of switching to turf. DIAMOND MAKER (8) showed up well first run out of the maidens and has a chance in this line-up. (Andrew Harrison: 4-3-5-2).

RACE 9

4 ARVENI PRINCESS   8 FLEUR DE LING   6 CAPTAIN VENTURA   5 RUBY RISING

Preview: ARVERNI PRINCESS (4) has won her last three over course and distance and can follow up. However, she has an apprentice hunting his first winner aboard while biggest danger FLEUR DE LING (8) a length behind her when last they met, has Rachel Venniker riding. The latter is 1kg better off in the handicap which could make the difference but it should be close. CAPTAIN VENTURA (6) is quick and should be right there while RUBY RISING (5) is way better than her last run and is a must inclusion in all calculations. (Andrew Harrison: 4-8-6-5).

Buddy Boy can be the punter’s friend

Andrew Harrison

Buddy Boy could be the punters friend at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday when he lines up in the seventh, a Class 4 handicap over 1600 m.

Out of the Mike and Mathew de Kock’s yard, Buddy Boy was a fair third behind the useful Fortress Of Fire in a poly sprint last time out. He will enjoy the switch to turf back over what may be a more suitable trip and looks to be the horse to beat and a possible exotic bet banker.

He will face stiff opposition from Glen Kotzen’s runner Fast And Free who has been trying much further but has not been far back. He could do better over this shorter trip.

Gareth van Zyl saddles two contenders in I Am Invictus and Wiccan Warrior. I Am Invictus was narrowly beaten over course and distance last time out and is lightly raced. He can go one better. Stable companion Wiccan Warrior started at long odds when second last time out and a second recent run in blinkers back on turf.

The De Kock’s could have a say in the card opener where they have two first  timers in Ibhola Lomlilo and Sparrow Man ridden by their retained riders. Both fillies have exceptional pedigrees but they will first have to get by some experienced runners. Of those that have run, Dancing Party has made steady improvement and was close-up on this course last time out while Mekong has seldom been far back and gets first time blinkers which could see her improve.  Pacific Mood found some market support last run when trying further in the soft and can improve.

Mike Miller’s charge Steamy Windows could get the Bi-pot off to a winning start. He has been trying further but his two post maiden runs have been in feature company and looks the part although he is not short of opposition. Kid From The South shed his maiden last run but does look progressive and should be a factor along with the filly Tyme To Talk who took on males on the poly last time out and has run two smart races.  Omkulu Boss is a maiden, who was scratched from his recent intended start,  but has found betting support at his last two and could surprise.

Andre Nel gave Theleia a short break and makes her local debut from a wide draw in the first leg of the PA. However, she boasts some smart Cape form and should make a bold bid. Lovecomesknocking has made steady improvement for Tony Rivalland and was a close-up second over course and distance last time out. A favourable draw adds to her appeal. Indignation has made recent improvement and was not far back over course and distance last time out and gets a useful 4kg claimer aboard from a good draw. Gimme The Power has been knocking at the door for some time now but her last two starts have been on the poly and she can run into the money again. (

Highveld visitor Paul Matchett only has one runner on the card and Give Me A Chance found some market support in his last Highveld sprint. He has champion elect Craig Zackey aboard and can pay his way. Old Harry Rocks showed up well on debut although starting at long odds. The run should have brought him on a few lengths along with the filly Bai Yulu who made marked improvement in first time blinkers over course and distance but does have a fair weight in this Open Maiden. Hadrian’s Wall was run out of it late last start after contesting a suicidal pace and his best two runs have been over course and distance and he gets a 1.5kg allowance from the saddle but still has a big weight.

The Middle Stakes for the fairer sex is wide open. Dean Kannemeyer sends out Tulip Fields who has a big weight but has been in good form of late and her last win came over the distance. A wide draw does not help but horses from this yard are generally dropped out to run on. Ladyofdestinction is back over what might be a more suitable trip and she is seldom out of the money. De Vlugge is interesting and she has been rocketing up the ratings as she bids for her fifth successive win. However, all have bene on the poly which is a concern. Miss World has run two smart races for her new stable and now steps up in trip.

Lucinda Woodruff has had a fine winter season and sends out Hop Hop Spinnekop who came from a mile back when touched off over course and distance last time out. Her apprentice does not claim but is riding with confidence. The Candice Bass stable saddles Taylor’s Version who has been much improved back in blinkers and her last three runs have been on this course. She has the best of the draw and should feature along with stable companion Lilac In Winter whose latest win was on this course and has since put in two fair efforts on the poly. She has a more than capable claiming apprentice aboard.

Yogas Govender sends out Flamethrower in the eighth. The two-year-old has a big weight in spite of a claiming apprentice but he took on a strong feature race field first time out of the maidens and could prove too classy for this line-up. Iron Will lives up to his name as he bids for his eighth win from 51 starts. He is quick and with a 4kg claimer aboard he must have a strong chance. Lunch Money has smart poly form and should make a bold bid in spite of switching to turf while Diamond Maker  showed up well first run out of the maidens and has a chance in this line-up

In the last, Arverni Princess has won her last three over course and distance for Louis Goosen and can follow up, however, she has an apprentice hunting his first winner aboard while biggest danger Fleu De Ling, a length behind when last they met, has Rachel Venniker riding. The latter is 1kg better off in the handicap which could make the difference. Captain Ventura is quick and should be right there while Ruby Rising is way better than her last run and is a must inclusion in all calculations.

Direct equine flights to the UK now permitted

In exciting news for the South African horseracing industry it has been announced the UK have opened a direct equine export route from South Africa, which cements two-way trade for the SA Equine Industry.

SA Equine Health & Protocols NPC (SAEHP) sent out the following press release:

UK Opens Direct Equine Export Route from South Africa, Cementing Two-Way Trade for SA Equine Industry

Cape Town, 15 July 2026 — SA Equine Health & Protocols NPC (SAEHP) is pleased to announce that the British Government has confirmed a decision permitting direct import of live horses from South Africa to Great Britain. Following a positive assessment of South Africa’s disease control measures, imports will be permitted from the approved vector-protected quarantine station in Cape Town, for registered equines complying with UK import conditions.

This milestone reflects sustained collaboration between SAEHP, the South African Department of Agriculture, and the Western Cape Department of Agriculture — a powerful demonstration of this public-private partnership’s success in maintaining South Africa’s equine disease control measures to the highest international standard and translating that credibility into real market access.

The announcement follows closely on South Africa’s opening of imports from Dubai, New Zealand, and Australia earlier this year -making genuine two-way trade a reality for the South African equine industry.

Adrian Todd, Managing Director of SAEHP, thanked the Hong Kong Jockey Club for its funding, technical support, and vision in opening South Africa to the world, noting that the growing number of trade partners now opens a world of opportunity for South Africa across all equestrian disciplines.

About SAEHP:SA Equine Health & Protocols NPC is a South African public-private partnership established to ensure the sustainability and security of the African Horse Sickness control zones through risk mitigation measures and controls, operating under the authority of the South African National Director of Animal Health in partnership with the National Department of Agriculture and the Western Cape Department of Agriculture.

Vercingetorix out to break his own record

David Thiselton

One of the intriguing questions that will be answered on World Pool Gold Cup day is whether the champion sire Vercingetorix can break his own South African record of 23 individual stakes winners in a season.

He is currently on 21 individual stakes winners and it will hinge on the big turf meeting on the last Sunday of the month as to whether he can break the record or not, because he does not have a runner in the only other stakes race still to be run this season, the Listed Champion Juvenile Cup at Fairview.

Vercingetorix will have many runners representing him on Gold Cup day such is his phenomenal influence on big races in the country.

However, the only ones that will count for this particular record will be the ones who have not previously won a stakes race this season.

A defending champion of one of the big races on the day actually falls into that category i.e. Gladatorian.

It is often said that horses coming fresh into the Gr 1 wfa HKJC Champions Cup have an advantage over those who have run in the July, but Gladatorian ran in the July last year and still managed to win the Champions Cup.

The Stuart Ferrie-trained six-year-old gelding has not had the best of luck with draws in his career, but in last year’s Champions Cup he landed draw three and for once his well known late charge did not come too late. This year he has drawn three out of the 12 horses who are still standing their ground, so will have every chance of defending his title. The man who knows him best, Sean Veale, looks likely to take the ride again as he is contracted to Hollywood Racing and hence rode the Hollywood Racing-owned Isivivane in the July.

In the opening race of the meeting, the Listed Tote Stakes Darley Arabian over 1600m, the Alyson Wright-trained four-year-old Vercingetorix gelding Position Of Power is out of an unraced Horse Chestnut mare who was in turn out of an Elliodor mare who won four times from 1200m to 1600m, so he is interesting stepped up from sprints if taking his place here. His sprints record is six wins, three seconds and a third from 12 starts. He is drawn 18 out of the 35 entries still standing so his final barrier position all depends on how it cuts up.

In the Gr 2 World Pool Bet With Tote Umkhomazi Stakes over 1200m the Mike and Mathew de Kock-trained Vercingetorix two-year-old colt Rising Eagle won comfortably over 1160m on the Turffontein Standside track in his second career start on Saturday. His time did not compare favourably on the day but on the other hand he jumped from an unfavourable low draw and still won. He now has a very wide draw of 40 among the many entries and will need some luck in the running if he lines up in this race.

In the Gr 2 Douglas Whyte Thekwini Stakes over 1600m the Louis Goosen-trained Ferrari Flair is still a maiden but has been performing well in stakes races, including finishing a close third in the Gr 3 Strelitzia Stakes over 1100m and a 2,30 length third in the Listed Amusnet Devon Air Stakes over 1400m. She was not disgraced when a 3,25 length eighth in the Gr 2 Amusnet Golden Slipper over 1400m, but she does not have as good a draw here and she has a bit to find on those who beat her in the latter race.

In the Gr 1 World Pool Moment Of The Day Premiers Champion Stakes over 1600m Rising Eagle is also an entry here and on pedigree should enjoy this 1600m trip as he is out of a New Approach mare who won up to 1800m. However, he has a draw of 23 among the many entries so has a tough task.

The Gr 1 wfa Mercury Sprint sees the hard-knocking Andre Nel-trained four-year-old Vercingetorix gelding O’Tenikwa having an outside chance if able to find a couple of extra lengths on his best form. He has a fair draw of seven.

In the Gr 3 World Pool Gold Cup over 3200m the Dean Kannemeyer-trained five-year-old Vercingetorix gelding Continentalexpress has some fair staying form and carries a lightweight from a plum draw, so he can’t be written off.

In the Gr 2 Bet With The World Gold Bracelet over 2000m the Candice and Tammy Dawson-trained Minogue will make a last ditch bid to win bold black type before being retired to stud and she will certainly deserve it. On the form of her run in the Gr 2 Woolavington 2000 she has a definite chance. She is sure to revert to the handy to front-running tactics that suit her best from a pole position draw, having not being suited to being dropped out to last in the July. The Candice Bass-trained four-year-old Vercingetorix filly Rahhabba won the non-Black type WSB Scarlet Lady over 1750m and was just touched off in the Listed IOS Insider East Coast Cup over 2000m. So carrying just 55kg from a plum draw in the Gold Bracelet she has an outside chance, although she officially has a tough task at the weights.

In the last feature of the season, the Listed HKIR In December Umngeni Handicap over 1000m, the Glen Kotzen-trained four-year-old Vercingetorix gelding Circumbendibus is a hard-knocking sort who has a definite chance. His draw is unknown at the time of writing, but he enjoys this course and distance. The James Crawford-trained Dame Of Trix is an interesting runner here as she won impressively over this trip at Turffontein last time and she could be better than her 98 merit rating suggests. She could land a fair draw when it cuts up as she is drawn 14 out of the 35 entries still standing. Position Of Power, mentioned earlier in the article, has hard-knocking sprint form and is also an entry here, although he is drawn 24, so will likely have a tough barrier position on the day. The Tony Rivalland-trained five-year-old Vercingetorix gelding King Of The Gauls is course and distance suited as he is very quick and he won this race from a wide draw two years ago, but the problem here is he has to do it from another wide draw off an eight point higher merit rating. The Louis Goosen-trained three-year-old Vercingetorix gelding Blazing Fury is a hard-knocking sort who has a two length fourth in a Gr 3 Sprint to his name, but he will officially have a tough task at the weights if he gets in here and he has a wide draw.

Exciting new July Handicap conditions

David Thiselton

 

The Hollywoodbets Durban July conditions have been finalised and the final field panellists might be in for an interesting evening before the Final Field And Barrier Draw Ceremony, whilst the three-year-olds look to be on the back foot at present.

 

There will be a longer handicap this year with a 10kg spread in the weights from a topweight of 62kg down to a bottom weight of 52kg.

 

Furthermore, it will just be a straight handicap, unlike recent July conditions in which there was a maximum and minimum weight for certain age groups and genders.

 

If the final field happens to have a spread that is less than 10kg, the topweight will still be 62kg. If, for example, there is a weight spread of 7kg among the entries, then the bottom weight will be 55kg.

 

If the topweights are scratched after the setting of the weights, then the new topweight will be dragged up to 62kg. For example if the topweight after scratchings is 60,5kg, it will be dragged up to 62kg and after the rest of the field have been dragged up the bottom weight will become 53,5kg.

 

The final field will not necessarily be chosen by merit rating order.

 

Justin Vermaak, Executive Racing and Bloodstock of Race Coast, said, “There will be a final field selection panel like before and merit rating will be a leading aspect, but the panel will also take current form and distance suitability into account etc.”

 

In recent years the final field panellists have not had it too tough as the field was cut up before the final field announcement, with a lot of horses being scratched due to the recognition by the connections they do not have much chance, either due to the weights not favouring them or due to them being off form – the final declaration fee could have, in those cases, been considered a waste of money.

 

However, with the longer handicap, there are going to be more horses who still have form chances on paper.

 

Looking at last year’s July for example, third-placed Selukwe was rated 111 and had to carry 54kg due to the condition that the minimum weight for an older male was 54kg. He was thus 2kg under sufferance with the 127-rated topweights, both older horses, and he was 4kg under sufferance with the officially best weighted horse, the 129 rated (nett 125-rated) Eight On Eighteen, who was set to carry 57kg despite being the highest merit rated horse in the race due to a condition that three-year-old males could not carry more than 57kg.

 

In last year’s race Oriental Charm carried 60kg, Eight On Eighteen carried 57kg and Selukwe carried 54kg.

 

Under this year’s conditions the weights for those three horses would have been: Oriental Charm 62kg, Eight On Eighteen 61kg and Selukwe 54kg. Selukwe would have been 2kg and 4kg better off with Oriental Charm and Eight On Eighteen respectively under today’s conditions.

 

He would have been 2kg better off with the winner The Real Prince too and, on paper, would have been beaten 0,30 lengths instead of by 2,65 lengths.

 

There could theoretically have been a horse who would have been even more favoured by today’s conditions than the 111-rated Selukwe example.

 

Using last year’s race under today’s conditions, an older horse who had been rated 107 would sneak into the handicap under today’s conditions.

 

A 107-rated older horse last year would have had to carry 54kg, 6kg less than the topweight, but under today’s conditions it would have only had to carry 52kg, which would be 10kg less than the 62kg topweight.

 

Therefore, there are theoretically going be a lot more horses standing their ground at the time of the final field selection process this year, because a lot more of them will have chances of winning on paper than would have been the case under the old conditions.

 

Furthermore, with stakes of R10 million up for grabs there will be less cases of horses being scratched due to the  connections deeming them to be off form. They might still want to take their chances.

 

The difficulty for the panel will come in deciding whether a lower rated horse is deemed to have better recent form or better distance suitability than a higher rated horse.

 

For argument sakes let’s assume that we go back to last year and there are still many horses standing their ground until the bitter end. After the top 17 are selected, according to the last log and current form, let’s assume the next two horses are the 115-rated Madison Valley and the 120-rated The Real Prince.

 

The Real Prince is rated five points higher than Madison Valley, but he has never run a race beyond 1600m before.

 

Madison Valley on the other hand finished a close fourth in the Betway Summer Cup over 2000m and in his final run before the July he won the traditional July pointer, the Hollywoodbets Dolphins Cup Trial over 1800m.

 

Which one are they going to put in the all important 18th slot?

 

Such a scenario is going to have much more chance of happening this year.

 

Although it has been said that weight avoidance tactics are going to be used this year, those who do take that route are probably going to run a bigger risk of not qualifying than ever before.

 

Now on to the three-year-olds.

 

Eight On Eighteen was held in high regard last year and came into the race 2kg well-in, according to official merit ratings, and yet he was not able to win the race.

 

Under today’s conditions he would have had to carry 61kg, effectively 2kg more.

 

So it was tough last year for a top, top three-year-old who was favoured by the old conditions.

 

How tough will it be for good-but-not-great three-year-olds under the new conditions, considering there is no maximum weight for them and no minimum weight for older horses?

 

Likewise it will be tough for females.

 

Furthermore, this year’s three-year-old crop are arguably overrated off their current merit ratings.

 

For example, Gauteng Guineas runner up Grand Empire could not win the Wolf Power 1600 against older horses when 2kg under sufferance off a 102 merit rating (effectively a 106 merit rating), yet he is now rated 120. There will be cries of “but the handicapper is clueless” when looking at that, but those who do say that are clueless themselves, because the handicapper rates a race on that race, not on past races, and Tin Pan Alley had earned his 117 rating by beating older horses and Grand Empire had then beaten him. Furthermore, Grand Empire was likely not at his peak for the Wolf Power with the Triple crown series looming.

 

Nevertheless, the overall impression is the current three-year-old male crop is not shining and it is questionable whether any of them have properly earned a rating of 120 or above.

 

It could well be an older horse July, but on the other hand there is an impressive unexposed horse like Note To Self among the three-year-olds and more such types might emerge.

 

The build up to this year’s Hollywoodbets Durban July is going to be more intriguing than ever!

 

London News July centenary victory

David Thiselton

The 2026 Hollywoodbets Durban July will be a milestone one with the prize money doubled to R10 million and with a longer handicap introduced as the topweight will be upped to 62kg and bottom weight lowered to 52kg.

It will fittingly fall on the 30th anniversary of the centenary July, which turned out to be one of the greatest of all Julys as it was won by the legendary Alec Laird-trained London News, who went on to put South African racing on the map by winning the QE II Cup in Hong Kong.

The renowned South African wildlife painter Henk Vos released his celebrated work, the Painting Of The Century, depicting a century of July winners, after the July’s centenary running.

The iconic painting now hangs in the Classic Room at Hollywoodbets Greyville.

Alec Laird actually ordered one of the prints of the painting before it was completed as the print had the first of his great Uncle Syd Garrett’s five July winners on the left and the greatest of his father’s record seven July winners, Sea Cottage, was in the centre.

The right hand side just had a blank with a silhouette of a horse, because Vos did not know yet which horse he was going to paint there.

Alec, who trained out of Randjesfontein on the Highveld, related, “He hadn’t made up his mind what horse he was going to put in the last panel (the 20th panel) and he even said to me ‘I would like you to win the July because I would like to put you as the last painting.’ With about a year to go I said to him I’m not going to make it.’”

However, fate then had it that London News not only became the 14/10 favourite for the 100th running of the July, but he was also saddle cloth number 20, being the only three-year-old in the field and the bottom weight.

Piere Strydom recalled, “I remember at the traditional Friday night cocktail Henk Vos was there with his big painting and there was one spot left for the 100th winner and I can still remember saying to someone that I think my picture’s going to be up there.”

London News duly won the race and Alec, London News and Piere Strydom are now at the forefront of the famous painting’s 20th panel and the horse is fittingly carrying the no. 20 saddle cloth.

The London News story starts at the National Yearling Sale of 1994.

Alec recalled big owners Laurie and Jean Jaffee’s chief aim at that Sale was to buy a yearling by their own 1987 July winner, Bush Telegraph.

Alec recalled Harmony Forever being his number one choice at that Sale.

However, he remembered London News being “a nice horse.”

He added, “On the first day a Bush Telegraph colt called Mr Newspaperman went for about R300,000. London News looked more athletic and Jean Jaffee actually said to me, ‘What about this one?’ On the first day they didn’t get a horse, the second day they didn’t get one and the more they asked me about London News the nicer he got, because I was otherwise going to go home without a horse!”

The Jaffees managed to secure London News.

Alec recalled, “He was a light youngster and even as a three-year-old was quite light. He didn’t show immediately, but we always had the feeling that he would be a nice horse when he matured.”

In fact, London News made a particularly inauspicious debut, beaten no fewer than 16,5 lengths under Anton Marcus in a 1200m Maiden Juvenile Plate over 1200m at the Vaal on June 6, 1995.

However, he got better and better and when he smashed the Greyville 2000m course record, which still stands today, in the Gr 1 Daily News 2000, he had won six out of eleven starts including the Dingaans and two middle distance Gr 1s.

Piere Strydom was aboard for the Daily News 2000 too.

He reflected on the 1996 July, the first of his four victories in South Africa’s greatest race, “London News was a lekker horse to ride because he had gate speed, a lot of natural speed and he would travel right up there in front and he had a good kick. But at the top of the straight (having led) I thought with a light weight let me just let the reins go a bit and get a length or two for the short straight. But he accelerated way quicker than I had expected and that’s when he made up three or four lengths on the field. Obviously it was going to tell at the end and he was stopping quite badly at the end. I heard the horses coming and I was just hoping for the line and he held on.”

Alec added, “Mike Rattray had invited me to watch in his box because it was on the line and he won by a neck but my eyes wouldn’t believe it because there was so much pressure. I wanted to see the number up!”

Alec described the emotion of being on the honour roll together with his late record-breaking seven-time July-winning father Syd.

In fact his extended family is comfortably the most prolific July-winning family in history with his grandfather Alec winning one as a jockey, his great Uncle Syd Garrett winning two as a jockey and three as a trainer, his father Syd winning a record seven as a trainer, and the cousins Dennis Drier, Alec Laird and Charles Laird each winning one July apiece – a total of 16 for the July dynasty.

A New Era of Racing: Colossus Pools Launched on 1st December with UK Racing!

Race Coast is thrilled to announce a game changing new era for South African horse racing punters with the official launch of horse racing with Colossus Pools on Monday, 1 December 2025!

Following the successful introduction of Colossus world class sports pools, we are now bringing this innovative technology to the multi-leg racing bets. To kick off the launch, the horse racing pools will feature predetermined, high value UK race meetings, giving local punters access to massive international jackpots.

This marks a major step forward for the sport, combining the thrill of racing with modern, flexible features.

Introducing Unprecedented Control

For the first time in South African racing, you will be able to take advantage of key features that put you in control of your bet:

  • Cash Out: Don’t wait until the last race! You will now receive leg-by-leg offers to Cash Out all or part of your ticket as the pool progresses. Secure a profit early or reduce your risk, giving you unprecedented control over your potential winnings.
  • Syndicate Betting: Join forces with other punters to crowdfund a single, high stakes ticket. Share the cost, increase your chances of hitting the jackpot, and share the rewards with the betting community. You can become a Syndicate Captain or contribute to a ticket led by an expert.

Race Coast is committed to innovating and ensuring our horse racing proposition is the most exciting and engaging in the country.

Get Ready to Play!

Look out for the Colossus button on the www.tote.co.za website and from December 1st, toggle between Football and Horse Racing, and experience the new generation of betting.

Massive UK Jackpots, More Control, and Shared Success—get ready to elevate your racing experience!

Get Ready for a Game Changer! Introducing Colossus – Bigger Pools, More Control!

We are thrilled to announce a ground-breaking new chapter in your betting experience! We’ve partnered with Colossus Bets, a leading UK-based company, to bring you an exciting new product never before seen in the South African tote betting market.

What is Colossus Bets?

Imagine betting into massive, guaranteed prize pools, often reaching life-changing sums, with the added power of controlling your bet as the action unfolds. That’s the essence of Colossus Bets! It’s a revolutionary way to play, combining the thrill of traditional tote betting with unparalleled flexibility.

Understanding the Bet Types & Functionality:

Colossus Bets specialises in pool betting, where you bet against other players. The total money wagered is placed into a “pool”, and the prize money is shared among all winning tickets. The more people who play, the larger the potential jackpot! 

Some of the Bet Types on offer

  • Pick 1×2: This is a straightforward pool where you predict the result of each match – Home Win (1), Draw (X), or Away Win (2).

 

  • Correct Score: This is a more challenging but potentially more lucrative pool, where you must predict the exact final result of each match

 

  • Both Teams to Score: This is for fans of goals and fast paced action. Your task is to simply predict whether or not both teams will score at least one goal in a selected series of matches

 

Innovative Functionality

  • Cash Out: This feature allows you to lock in a profit before all matches (legs) in your ticket are completed. After each leg, Colossus bets will make you an offer to buy your ticket based on its current value. You can choose to accept the guaranteed payout or stay in the game for a chance at the full jackpot.

 

  • Syndicate Betting: Colossus Bets offers a unique way to play through Syndicate Tickets, allowing Players to team up and increase their chances of winning. Creating a Syndicate – If you have a betting strategy or consider yourself a “Pro”, you can create a Syndicate Ticket and invite other Players to contribute towards the payment of the ticket. Joining a Syndicate – Alternatively, you can join a Syndicate Ticket that another Player has already created. When you contribute to a Syndicate Ticket, you will own a share of that ticket. This share is directly proportional to the amount of money you contributed. If the Syndicate Ticket wins, you will receive a proportionate share of any returns (such as dividends or cash-out proceeds) based on your contribution. In essence, Syndicate Tickets allows Players to pool their resources, share the risk, and share the rewards!

 

  • Guaranteed Huge Sports Pools: Colossus Bets offers guaranteed prize pools often reaching life-changing proportions. This means greater potential payouts for a winning ticket!

 

  • Consolation Prizes: For many pools, if you narrowly miss the jackpot by getting a number of the selections correct, you can still win a share of a consolation prize. This means that you can still get a payout even if your ticket isn’t a perfect winner.

How to find the Colossus Product

To access the Colossus soccer products, simply follow these steps:

  • Log in to your TOTE account on www.tote.co.za
  • Once logged in, look for the “Colossus” button on the main navigation bar.
  • Click the button to be taken to a new page, displaying all the available Colossus products
  • Start playing!

 

Why is this a game changer for South Africa?

Colossus Bets is renowned for pioneering the Cash Out feature in multi-leg pool betting, Syndicate Betting, and for offering some of the largest sports jackpots globally. This partnership brings that innovation and scale directly to you, providing a fresh and exciting way to engage with your favourite sports.

We are confident that Colossus Bets will transform your betting experience, offering bigger thrills and more control than ever before.

Ready to get in on the action? The Colossus button on www.tote.co.za is your portal to this revolutionary product. Don’t miss out!

Be sure to look out for the Colossus horse racing products – Coming Soon!