David Thiselton

The ten race meeting at Turffontein Standside today is highlighted by the Gr 2 Jehan Malherbe Senor Santa Stakes over 1160m and the Gr 2 TAB Colorado King Stakes over 2000m.

In the Senor Santa Lucky Lad is the one to beat, despite being under sufferance with the best weighted. He mowed them down in the Gr 1 Gold Medallion over 1200m as a juvenile to win by 5,30 lengths and now has his third run after a layoff. The Standside sprint course usually favours high draws, so his draw of eight out of eleven is on the right side. Richard Fourie will be aboard. On the other hand this might just be a preparation run for the Gr 2 WSB Guineas at Hollywoodbets Greyville a week later. However, his natural speed and class can pull him through. His stablemate Winter Greeting can pick up the pieces if he is not at his best. This imposing daughter of What A Winter is the best weighted runner and having always showed a lot of promise she proved last time that sprinting is her game when sauntering to an easy win over 1000m at Hollywoodbets Greyville. Furthermore, she is drawn ten out of eleven. Craig Zackey rides. I Am Giant is 2,5kg under sufferance with the best weighted and has a tricky low draw of three, but has always struck as one who could be a black type-winning sprinter and as a four-year-old who has only had ten starts the best might not yet have been seen of him. This well-named giant of a horse is consistent and has never been out the money. Rulership is only 1kg under sufferance with the best weighted and has done well since relocating to the Tony Peter yard on the Highveld. He is draw middle outside in six and has a chance. Surjay is a Gr 1 performer and also has to be taken seriously here. The Brett Crawford yard have done well preparing horses on the Highveld to raid for the Champions Season. Last year Surjay finished third in the Gr 1 Golden Horse Sprint, third in the Gr 2 Post Merchants and second in the Gr 1 Mercury Sprint, so this could be a stepping stone race towards those events. Those are the five who make most appeal.

The Gr 2 Colorado King Stakes over 2000m is equally difficult to assess because it might be a preparation for some. On form and visual impression Pure Predator makes most appeal from draw five in the seven horse field, partly because he is up and coming and faces exposed older horses. He has impressed with strong finishes for a two lengths fourth and 0,25 length second in the Gr 1 TAB SA Classic over 1800m and Gr 1 TAB SA Derby over 2450m respectively. However, the form of the three-year-olds has been questionable and he is also likely to have been freshened up as he will likely be running in the Gr 1 Daily News 2000 and the Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Durban July. Hotarubi was only a length behind him in the SA Classic and 2,25 lengths behind him in the SA Derby. He will also likely have been freshened up with the aforementioned races also likely on his radar. Muzi Yeni is a notable booking for Safe Passage. He has ridden this enigmatic character five times for three wins, including the Gr 1 Daily News 2000, a third in the July and a second in the Summer Cup. Safe Passage’s real issues did seem to start after that though, so he is not certain to bring the best out of him. However, the horse does still retain ability as proven by his Summer Cup second this season and Yeni’s presence might help. Future Pearl is best at staying trips but is effective over this trip too and has his third run after a layoff. Aragosta is the second best in at the weights and is drawn well over a suitable trip, but he might also have been freshened up with the July in mind. The best weighted runner Puerto Manzano appears to be in decline, although at his best he would win. Second Base has also been off form and needs to bounce back.

In the Gr 3 Protea Stakes over 1100m Winds Of Change gets 3kg from the others as he is still a maiden, but he has been beaten narrowly by top horses in Cape Town and also by a promising horse in his only Highveld run, so he is the one to beat. Proceed is progressive and is taken to finish second ahead of the facile maiden winner Buffalo Storm Cody.

In the Gr 3 Pretty Polly Stakes over 1100m Simply Majestic has some fair form and should be in the shake up. Stars and Bra’s won well last time after a good debut sprint and then finding 1400m too far. Famous Lady had a hard task last time after a good debut win and can bounce back. Pinatubo is well regarded but disappointed second time out and has something to prove. Bosum Buddy’s maiden win has been franked but she lost to Pinatubo before that.

In the Gr 2 TAB Camelia Stakes over 1160m the progressive Time Fo Orchids can go marching on. White Pearl’s speed and class will see her go close. Kiss Me Captain will go close if repeating her Computaform Sprint. Mrs Geriatrix’s star has waned but she deserves another chance considering she wan’t the only raider who underperformed in Cape Town and she then had to bump Gimme A Nother in her only Highveld run since. Mrs Browning, One Fell Swoop and Alula’s Star are hard to ignore in what could be a field race. 

The Gr 2 TAB Igugu Stakes is wide open but Future Girl is fancied to prevail and Zeus and Gavin Lerena can make it eleven wins together in the Listed TAB Gold Bowl. 

RACE 1      

3 MOUNT PINATUBO 4 SUNSET RIOT 1 LEGEND OF ARTHUR 2 MOONLIGHT TRADER

Preview: 3 MOUNT PINATUBO flew up late for second in the Gr 2 SA Nursery and should enjoy the step up in trip. 4 SUNSET RIOT won well second time out and the form has been franked. 1 LEGEND OF ARTHUR was an easy winner second time out but does have a tricky draw. 2 MOONLIGHT TRADER has shown enough to be competitive here. (3-4-1-2)

RACE 2     

10 WORLD OF ALICE 3 TOO LATE MY MATE 2 QUEEN OF FIRE 1 FATAL FLAW

Preview: 10 WORLD OF ALICE ran a cracker on debut and getting weight from the winners can go close. 3 TOO LATE MY MATE beat World Of Alice by 0,7 lengths but is 3kg worse off. 2 QUEEN OF FIRE won well last time and the form has been franked. 1 FATAL FLAW was beaten a length by Queen Of Fire  and then won but now faces the latter on the same terms. (10-3-2-1)

RACE 3  

6 WINDS OF CHANGE 5 PROCEED 1 BUFFALO STORM CODY 2 CHIEFTAIN   

6 WINDS OF CHANGE has been beaten by good sorts and can get it right here as a maiden who gets weight from the winners. 5 PROCEED is talented and should be staying on strongly. 1 BUFFALO STORM CODY was a nine length winner on debut and could be anything. 2 CHIEFTAIN is drawn on the right side and can reverse form with DantonfromSandton (6-5-1-2)

RACE 4

4 SIMPLY MAJESTIC 5 STARS AND BRA’S 2 FAMOUS LADY 3 PINATUBO     

Preview: 4 SIMPLY MAJESTIC just failed last time and can make amends although he has a possibly tricky low draw. 5 STARS AND BRA’S caused an upset last time in a decent field and could follow up. 2 FAMOUS LADY can be a factor here down in class. 3 PINATUBO disappointed last time but against her own age group could bounce back. (4-5-2-3) 

RACE 5     

5 TIME FO ORCHIDS 6 WHITE PEARL 2 KISS ME CAPTAIN 1 MRS GERIATRIX

Preview: 5 TIME FO ORCHIDS has been progressive and can go in again. 6 WHITE PEARL deserves a win and should be right there again. 2 KISS ME CAPTAIN ran a cracker in the Gr 1 Computaform and will be right there with a repeat. 1 MRS GERIATRIX has been disappointing this season  having had great expectations but she could show her class could kick in at any time. (5-6-2-1) 

RACE 6     

6 FUTURE GIRL 8 MY SOUL MATE 4 PERFECT WITNESS 2 GILDED BUTTERFLY

Preview: 6 FUTURE GIRL can go close if repeating her last start in Cape Town and she has a plum draw. 8 MY SOUL MATE ran a cracker in  the SA Oaks and from pole position should be in the shake up. 4 PERFECT WITNESS has a lot of class and will appreciate the step up in trip. 2 GILDED BUTTERFLY can mix it with the best on her day and can never be ignored. (6-8-4-2)

RACE 7     

6 PURE PREDATOR 7 HOTARUBI 4 SAFE PASSAGE 3 FUTURE PEARL

Preview: 6 PURE PREDATOR has shown his class in his last two starts in Gr 1s and a repeat will see him going close here. 7 HOTARUBI has also done well in Gr 1s and should be i n the mix if producing his best. 4 SAFE PASSAGE has class but is none too reliable although he can never be ignored. 3 FUTURE PEARL prefers further but is effective over shorter too. (6-7-4-3)

RACE 8     

3 LUCKY LAD 10 WINTER GREETING 9 I AM GIANT 1 RULERSHIP

Preview: 3 LUCKY LAD is top class and should be easy to deliver in his third run after a layoff. 10 WINTER GREETING has class and showed last time that sprinting could be her game. 9 I AM GIANT is big classy sort who has speed too. 1 RULERSHIP has been in fine form on the Highveld and should be right there. (3-10-9-1) 

RACE 9     

1 ZEUS 8 BREEZE OVER 6 UNITED COUNCIL 3 CRIMSON KING

Preview: 1 ZEUS looks to be the best stayer in the land and can notch up another win under Gavin Lerena, who won on him ten times. 8 BREEZE OVER is a big, scopey stayer and should be involved. 6 UNITED COUNCIL can be right there if repeating his last start. 3 CRIMSON KING has class and stamina and would not be a surprise winner. (1-8-6-3) 

RACE 10    

5 ZINOVI 6 CELTIC RUMOURS 8 JULIET TANGO 2 ATTICUS FINCH

Preview: 5 ZINOVI has had a successful wind op and can go in again. 6 CELTIC RUMOURS showed her class last time and will go close. 8 JULIET TANGO has plenty of ability and could be thereabouts over a suitable trip. 2 ATTICUS FINCH is progressive and the best has not been seen of him yet but this might be on the sharp side. (5-6-8-2)

Paul Lally:

R1 4-9-12-6

R2 7-8-6-1

R3 3-1-11-2

R4 4-13-5-8

R5 1-2-3-5

R6 13-1-10-7

R7 8-1-2-9

R8 1-4-11-2

R9 13-5-8-12

R10 8-5-2-3

Best Bet R4 N4 Circuit Fiery

Longshot R7 N8 Elton Barows

Play Race2 QQP 6-7-8

Tom Wood:

R1: 7-12-6-11

R2: 3-7-2-1

R3: 1-3-2-14

R4: 4-5-2-1

R5: 1-3-6-5

R6: 1-10-13-3

R7: 1-9-2-5

R8: 1-11-4-2

R9:  6-2-3-8

R10: 7-3-2-6

BEST:                          R4 N4 CIRCUIT FIERY (WIN)

VALUE:                       R6 N1 BEAUTY CRESCENT (EW) 

PLAY:                          R10 – QQP 2,3,7

Mark McNamara:

R1 – 6.7.3.8

R2 – 7.3.2.1

R3 – 1.2.3.11

R4 – 11.4.5.1

R5 – 3.1.2.8

R6 – 13.5.1.11

R7– 1.2.9.5

R8 – 1.11.4.2

R9 – 8.6.5.3

R10 -8.2.7.5

Best Bet R6 N13 Sunlight Power

Longshot R4 N11 Mission Voice

Play All Up Win R7 1 Golden Sixty

                     Win R8 1 Romantic Warrior

The Hong Kong Jockey Club

David Thiselton

The first big event of this year’s Hollywoodbets Durban July happens tomorrow i.e. the announcement of the entries which were closed on Monday.

Years ending with the number four have always seemed to attract dramatic or significant renewals of the great race.

The first renewal ending in four was 1904 and the race was won by the biggest outsider up until then, the 33/1 shot Nymagee (Splendour), who was the first of four Australian-bred horses to have won the July. The others are Chere Amie in 1905, the great Igugu in 2011 and The Conglomerate in 2016. Nymagee was trained by W. Meredith, owned by S Brooks and ridden by W Clements. The 1904 renewal was the first to be run with the Drill Hall present. The land had been given to the trustees of the Durban Light Infantry regiment by the Durban Town Council in appreciation of their services in the Anglo Boer War and the complex was officially opened on May 24, 1904.

The 1914 renewal was run with war looming. New buildings on course included a new grandstand and offices, a Tote, a dining room below the secretary’s office and a weighing room and jockeys room in a separate building. However, a record crowd attended and the buildings, spacious for normal meetings, were quite inadequate to accommodate the crush. The race was won by the SA-bred three-year-old Rhanleigh, trained by WL Randall, owned by Sir G Farrar and ridden by R Dine. Rhanleigh Wines, which is still flourishing today, is named after the July winner.

In 1924 the winner Oriel, a British-bred five-year-old, was intermittently lame throughout his career and his trainer Ernie Ryan could often be seen in the early mornings at the track massaging his legs. It was this one of the most romantic victory’s in the history of the race as it was only due to Ryan’s exceptional care that the horse even got to the start let alone won. He was ridden by J Lievaux and owned by Messrs Deane and Hollis.

In 1934 the winner Sun Tor came in off the back of a layoff of 161 days and no horse since has come off a longer layoff to win the race. The British-bred five-year-old was trained by J Angles, owned by P Sussman and ridden by A Rugg.

In 1944 the winning jockey Harry Berry had a bad fall a few days before the race in which he broke a rib and sprained both thumbs and a wrist. He had finished second in the race in 1931 and 1934 and finally broke his duck by riding Moneith to victory, despite being in great pain. The winner was a British-bred seven-year-old trained by CB Clutterbuck and owned by A Wayne. He gave the British-based sire Montrose the first of four wins in the July, two of them being by Milesia Pride.

In 1954 Dennis Labistour trained his second July winner, three-year-old colt C’Est Si Bon, who was by the 1941 July winner Sadri II. He spoilt the hopes of many that the great King’s Pact would win, but the three-year-old filly’s welter burden of 54,5kg proved too much. Both of Labistour’s July winners were part-owned, together with himself, by writer Molly Reynolds, who later wrote a book about the July. Labistour’s other July claim to fame is he flew the aeroplane in 1931 that flew July spectators in from east London, the first known instance of people flying in to watch the big race.

 In 1964 Numeral, trained by George Azzie and ridden by Raymond Rhodes, beat Top Gallant. The latter was a half-brother to the immortal Sea Cottage. Numeral was owned by the American businessman Charles Englehard, one of the world’s biggest owners whose horses included the great English Triple Crown winner Nijinsky and also the South African legend Hawaii.

The 1974 renewal was one of the most dramatic in history because the jockey of second favourite Jamaican Music, Tom Rattley, fell off between the start and the Drill Hall. The George Azzie-trained Riboville, despite odds of 20/1, remains the easiest winner in July history, winning by 4,5 lengths from rank outsider Pedlar. Riboville gave Dennis and Peggy Mosenthal an unexpected July winner at last after years of trying, including a controversial second by their horse Radlington in 1952. They had expected to win the 1974 July with the Azzie-trained favourite Elevation, who finished fourth.

In 1984 Terrance Millard had his second of six July winners with the English imported mare Devon Air, who was spotted by still active Durban bloodstock agent Andy Williams and purchased on behalf of the Scott Brothers Des and Robin. The powerful mare gave jockey Felix Coetzee the first of three July wins.

There was controversy in 1994 when Surfing Home veered across the likely winner Pas De Quoi twice in the straight. Surfing Home crossed the line first with Pas De Quoi only fifth, but the objection was upheld and the race was awarded to the Ricky Maingard-trained Space Walk, ridden by Robbie Fradd and owned by D Cohen and Sons. Maingard was the last KZN-based trainer to win the July.        

The 2004 renewal coincided with ten years of democracy in SA and the number ten horse, Greys Inn, thus carried the South African flag on his saddle cloth. He duly won, giving trainer Mike de Kock a second of five July wins and jockey Antony Delpech a second of four July wins. Greys Inn was owned and bred by Bridget Oppenheimer, one of six July wins she had as an owner and one of five as a breeder (she owned and bred together with husband Harry until his passing in 2000).

The 2014 July was the first renewal on the narrowed track and a controversial objection saw trainer Justin Snaith landing his second of five July wins and Richard Fourie landing the first of three July victories. Legislate was the son of the great 2003 winner Dynasty and he was owned by Jack Mitchell, Gaynor Rupert’s Drakenstein Stud and Gail and Dennis Evans of Newbury Racing.

The Independent on Saturday race day at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday, 4 May will get South Africa’s Champion Season off to a cracking start judged by the quality of entries for the three feature races.

The R500 000 Gr2 Independent On Saturday Drill Hall Stakes is one of the first warm-up races for the R5 Million Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Durban July and is supported by the R500 000 Gr2 World Sports Betting Guineas and the R500 000 Gr2 World Sports Betting Fillies Guineas. 

SplashOut Cape Derby winner Green With Envy and Highveld star, Sandringham Summit are both entered in the IOS Drill Halls Stakes but the pair have drawn wide which could see rather run in the Gr2 WSB Guineas where both have drawn better gates but will be up against recent Gr1 HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes winner Main Defender. Should all three stand their ground in the Guineas it will make for a mouthwatering contest, a race not to be missed. 

Also nominated in the Drill Hall is former Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge and L’Ormarins Queens Plate winner Al Muthana. At My Command along with former Gr1 Premiers Champion Stakes winner Cousin Casey are possible July contenders. Cousin Casey lost his way a little but is now showing signs of a return to his best form.

Standout in the Gr 2 WSB Fillies Guineas is recent Gr3 Umzimkulu Stakes and Gr3 Prix Du Cap winner Double Grand Slam who put up a cracking display in both races which will have the opposition pondering their chances should Justin Snaith’s filly stand her ground. But she faces course and distance winner Mrs Geriatrix who is showing signs of returning to her best form after finishing third in the Gr1 Empress Club Stakes behind the unbeaten Gimme A Nother. Rascova was third in the Umzimkulu Stakes and second to the star mare Princess Calla in the Gr1 Majorca Stakes, when beating Double Grand Slam. She should also improve on her KZN debut. 

R 500,000 INDEPENDENT ON SATURDAY DRILL HALL STAKES (Grade 2)-1400m

Horses at Weight-For-Age + Penalties

WFA: 2yrs-11.0kgs 3yrs-2.0kgs 

5 COSMIC HIGHWAY     (5G) 58.5 121   Dean Kannemeyer    

9 GLADATORIAN        (4G) 58.5 120   Stuart Ferrie      

4 MAIN DEFENDER      (3G) 58.0 131   Tony Peter        

17 SANDRINGHAM SUMMIT (3C) 58.0 123   David Nieuwenhuizen 

18 GREEN WITH ENVY    (3C) 58.0 119   Dean Kannemeyer    

15 AL MUTHANA (AUS)   (6G) 57.0 125   Ricky Maingard     

 2 ROYAL AUSSIE       (4G) 57.0 124   Justin Snaith      

 3 COUSIN CASEY       (4C) 57.0 123   Sean Tarry         

10 AT MY COMMAND      (4G) 57.0 119   Brett Crawford     

19 WATERBERRY LANE    (5G) 57.0 112   Ricky Maingard     

 6 UNZEN              (4G) 57.0 109   Robbie Sage       

 8 ITSRAININGWILLIAM  (4G) 57.0 108   Justin Snaith      

 7 TEXAS RED          (4G) 57.0 104   Robyn Klaasen      

11 HUMDINGER          (5M) 56.0 116   Mike de Kock       

14 MID WINTER WIND    (3G) 55.0 114   Sean Tarry         

12 GIMMEANOTHERCHANCE (3G) 55.0 111   Mike de Kock       

13 ZINOVI             (3C) 55.0 108   Mike de Kock       

 1 TEFLON MAN         (3C) 55.0  99   Dean Kannemeyer    

16 WHITE PEARL        (3F) 52.5 112   Mike de Kock       

   (19)

R 500,000 WORLD SPORTS BETTING FILLIES GUINEAS (Grade 2)- 1600m

For 3 year-old Fillies

5 DOUBLE GRAND SLAM  (3F) 60.0 118   Justin Snaith      

 8 MRS GERIATRIX      (3F) 60.0 115 H Sean Tarry         

 4 RASCOVA            (3F) 60.0 115   Glen Kotzen        

 1 LET’S GO NOW       (3F) 60.0 114 B Sean Tarry         

 2 WHITE PEARL        (3F) 60.0 112   Mike de Kock       

 6 MINOGUE            (3F) 60.0 102   Wendy Whitehead    

 9 SOLDIER’S EYE      (3F) 60.0  98   Weiho Marwing      

 7 SOVEREIGN GRANT    (3F) 60.0  98   Michael Miller     

 3 BOMBER GIRL        (3F) 60.0  97   Michael Miller     

12 CELTIC BEAUTY      (3F) 60.0  94   Tony Rivalland     

11 CEUTA              (3F) 60.0  81   David Nieuwenhuizen 

10 MISS PLATINA       (3F) 60.0  75   Tienie Prinsloo    

   (12)

R500 000 WORLD SPORTS BETTING GUINEAS (Grade 2)- 1600m

For 3 year-olds

5 MAIN DEFENDER      (3G) 60.0 131   Tony Peter        

 6 SANDRINGHAM SUMMIT (3C) 60.0 123   David Nieuwenhuizen 

10 SNOW PILOT         (3C) 60.0 120   Justin Snaith      

 8 GREEN WITH ENVY    (3C) 60.0 119   Dean Kannemeyer    

13 LUCKY LAD          (3C) 60.0 119   Sean Tarry         

11 MID WINTER WIND    (3G) 60.0 114   Sean Tarry         

 1 ORIENTAL CHARM     (3C) 60.0 113   Brett Crawford     

 4 GIMMEANOTHERCHANCE (3G) 60.0 111   Mike de Kock       

 2 HLUHLUWE           (3G) 60.0 111   Justin Snaith      

 9 BARBARESCO         (3G) 60.0 109   J A Janse van Vuur 

 3 ZINOVI             (3C) 60.0 108   Mike de Kock       

12 NAVAJO NATION      (3G) 60.0 103   Robbie Hill        

 7 ANCIENT WORLD      (3G) 60.0  92   Michael Miller     

   (13)

David Thiselton

Sales prices are an indicator of the levels of bullishness in the racing industry and the BSA National Yearling Sale on Thursday and Friday last week saw the statistics in all categories rising by over 30%, a phenomenal upturn.

South African racing has been boosted in the last couple of years by stakes increases and numerous incentives for owners and trainers, with Holywoodbets and Greg Bortz getting the ball rolling and 4Racing following suit.

Then last month came the best news of all. The ban on horses flying directly to Europe, that had been in place since 2011, has been lifted.

Direct flights will make it easier for overseas concerns to buy horses in South Africa and it will also enable SA’s equine athletes the chance once more of proving how good they are by taking on international opposition.

London News, Horse Chestnut, Spook Express, Ipi Tombe, Victory Moon, Crimson Palace, Perfect Promise, Irridiscence, Gypsy’s Warning, National Colour, Jay Peg, Imbongi, Lizard’s Desire, River Jetez, The Apache, J J The Jet Plane, Shea Shea, Vercingetorix, Sweet Sanette, Soft Falling Rain, Variety Club and are examples that come to mind of SA-breds who have excelled overseas, and there are numerous others.

However, nobody quite expected this current wave of optimism to have as dramatic effect as it did on the BSA National Yearling Sale.

It would not be surprising if it broke a world record for an upturn in prices.

The gross aggregate last year was R153.8 million, the average R443 228 and the median R300 000 respectively.

This year the aggregate was 200,190,000, the average was R581,948 and the median R400,000.

Therefore the aggregate rose by 31,16%, the average by 31.29% and the median by 33.33%.

The clearance rate was 94%.

Last year there were 27 lots of R1 million and over, this year there were 43, an increase of  59%.

The highest price of R6,000,000 is below the record of R9,000,000 set in 2019 but was almost double last year’s highest price of R3,200,000.

Vercingetorix’s cover fee last year was R220,000 in total (R50,000 nomination and R170,000 for a live foal).

However, he showed how worthwhile that fee is at this Sale, where his 34 lots sold from 35 available averaged a staggering R1,161,029.

He had 13 seven figure lots.

He topped the aggregates at R39,475,000.

Last year Vercingetorix was also top of the standings with 35 lots sold of 36 available for an aggregate of 29,900,000 and an average of R854,286.

His average increased this year by 35,9% and his aggregate by 32%.

National champion sire Gimmethegreenlight had the highest priced lot at the Sale (R6m).

He had eleven seven figure lots.

He had 39 of 42 lots available sold and averaged R908,974 for an aggregate of R35,450,000.

Trippi had the highest average of R1,412,500 and Hawwaam also averaged over R1 million.

However, both only had 8 lots on the Sale (all of them sold) and both had a yearling that went for R5m+ , compared to Vercingetorix’s highest priced lot of R3,6 million, which was the highest priced filly on the Sale.

Half Of Trippi’s eight lots went for seven figure amounts.

Hawwaam only had one seven figure lot.

What A Winter had four seven figure lots, Futura had two, Rafeef had two, Querari had two, One World had two, Danon Platina had one and Erik The Red had one.

The sales topper this year was a Gimmethegreenlight colt out of the Redoute’s Choice mare Honorine vendored by Wilgerbosdrift Stud and purchased by the Hong Kong Jockey Club. Honorine won five races from 1000m to 1200m including the Gr 2 Camellia Stakes over 1160m. Honorine has had two runners and two multiple winners. Protea Paradise, a gelding by Dynasty, won three races from 1600m to 2000m and reached a merit rating of 92 before being exported to Mauritius. Japanese Rose by Danon Platina won her second and third starts over 1250m to 1400m respectively and then ran unplaced in the Gr 1 WSB Cape Fillies Guineas. She is also merit rated 92.

The R6 million colt is called Man Of His Word and is from the family of Almanzor, the champion colt of Europe, Ireland and France in 2016, and also from the family of Darjina, the champion three-year-old filly of Europe in 2007, and from the family of other Gr 1 winners Daryara, Daryakana and Dariyan.

The second highest lot, sold for R5,250,000 to Sandy Arundel, was a Drakenstein Stud-bred Trippi colt out of the Galileo mare Grail Maiden, which makes the colt a full-brother to Gr 1 Thekwini Stakes runner up Railtrip and a half-brother to the Gr 1 SA Derby winner Hero’s Honour (Await The Dawn).

The Hollywood Syndicate set the tone of the sale, buying the first seven figure horse, a Lammerkraal Stud-bred Querari colt, who they secured for R1.9 million, and later they most fittingly went to R5 million to buy a Wilgerbosdrift Stud-bred Hawwaam half-brother to Sparkling Water. Sparkling Water was the first horse to win a Hollywoodbets-sponsored Durban July.

It was a fine Sale for the Oppenheimer family who sold four of the seven highest-priced lots and they sold the top-priced filly.

Mauritzfontein Stud vendored the fourth highest lot and highest-priced filly on the Sale, a Vercingetorix three-parts sister to Tripe Tiara winner Summer Pudding, who went for R3,6 million purchased by Form Bloodstock.

The most keenly anticipated lot was the Wilgerbosdrift Stud-vendored Vercingetorix three-parts brother to Hawwaam and half-brother to both Rainbow Bridge and Golden Ducat. The colt was purchased by Sabine Plattner for R2,8 million.

The Klawervlei Stud-bred Vercingetorix half-brother to Equus Horse Of The Year Captain’s Ransom also went for R2,8 million, purchased by Central Route Trading.

A Vercingetorix colt out of the five time-winning Gr 3-winning sprinter Miss October (Var) also went for R2.8 million. He is a half-brother to Gr 1-winning sprinter Tempting Fate (Master Of My Fate) and to Gr 2-winning sprinter October Morn (Trippi). 

The 128th edition of Africa’s greatest horse racing extravaganza, the Hollywoodbets Durban July, is set for 6^th July 2024. Renowned as the premier event on South Africa’s racing calendar, coveted by every equine enthusiast, it seamlessly marries haute couture and entertainment with the thunderous excitement of the track, crafting a social spectacle of unparalleled allure.

Amidst the backdrop of two years veiled in the shadow of the pandemic, the past two iterations have witnessed a triumphant resurgence, as fans once again flock to the iconic Hollywoodbets Greyville Racecourse. This year’s rendition promises to shatter records, with an anticipated crowd of 50,000 revellers poised to converge at the venue.

Tickets are available through Ticketpro’s website (www.ticketpros.co.za) or select SPAR Payzone Kiosks nationwide. Priced at R230 for general admission, they unlock a realm of entertainment including live performances, fashion showcases, pulse-pounding racing action, access to public bars, gourmet food trucks, ample seating, and a plethora of partner activations and competitions unfolding throughout the day and into the night. Onsite parking is also on offer at R170 per vehicle.

For those seeking the pinnacle of indulgence, the event’s website (www.hollywoodbetsdurbanjuly.co.za) serves as a portal to a world of VIP hospitality options, complete with a detailed site map. However, entry to these exclusive enclaves will still require a general admission ticket for the event from Ticketpro.

The unveiling of the 2024 theme, “Ride The Wave,” in late March heralded the commencement of the Hollywoodbets Durban July Fashion Experience, presented by Durban Fashion Fair. Among its highlights, the HDJ Young Designer Award, presented by Durban Fashion Fair, beckons forth the best of KwaZulu-Natal’s design protégé’s all vying for the coveted 2024 title and the chance to share the stage with the HDJ Invited Designers and the DFF Rising Stars at the annual HDJ Fashion Gala Preview Evening, hosted at Gateway Theatre of Shopping in late June.

Anticipation mounts as the first entrants for this year’s Hollywoodbets Durban July are set to be unveiled on Wednesday 24 April, with last year’s runner-up, See It Again, emerging as the early ante-post favourite. Betting enthusiasts can find the full array of odds at www.hollywoodbets.net.

David Thiselton

The Non-Black Type Betway Mythical Flight Sprint for three-year-olds over 1100m saw the Lucky Houdalakis-trained Dreamland converting favouritism under Gavin Lerena and putting the cherry on the top of a good weekend for the former Equus Champion Sprinter Val De Ra.

It was the annual Henneman Memorial meeting and all of the nine races were named after the victims of the airplane tragedy of April 12 1988 which claimed the lives of 13 jockeys, one trainer, five officials and two owners.

The Avontuur Stud-bred gelding Dreamland is out of Val De Ra’s placed British-bred daughter Dream De Ra, who is bred in the purple. Val De Ra, who won the Gr 1 Computaform Sprint, the Gr 1 SA Fillies Sprint and the Gr 1 Cape Flying Championship, was by European champion sprinter Var and Dream De Ra was by another European Champion Sprinter in Oasis Dream, who has produced the winners of 27 Group 1 races.

On Friday Val De Ra’s Gavin Smith-trained three-year-old daughter by Oratorio won her first start in the Eastern Cape, over 1300m on the poly at Fairview, by 6,25 lengths under Muzi Yeni. It was only in an open maiden for fillies and mares and she only had to carry 57,5kg after a previous record of a second and five unplaced runs in the strong centre of Cape Town, but the manner of the victory suggests she has a good future ahead of her in Gqeberha.

Dreamland has always shown a lot of promise and in his fourth start over 1200m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville waltzed in by 3,75 lengths.

He ran second off a 90 merit rating after that, but then went off the boil for three runs between October and November last year. 

However, he went down to an 87 and in his last five runs has a fourth, a third, a second (to the useful Time Fo Orchids) and two wins.

He won off an 86 over 1160m on March 23 and on Saturday won off an 89 in the handicap Non-Black Type event.

Dreamland broke well from draw five of seven and shared the early lead with Gocekwithlove.

However, at the 400m mark he shot forward and nobody was ever going to catch him.

Richard The First, Just Be Lekker and Mount Pilatus closed in, but Gavin Lerena kept Dreamland going to beat them by 0,25 lengths, 0,75 lengths and 1,25 lengths respectively.

Lerena has ridden Dreamland to both of his last two wins.

It was a quick double for Houdalakis as he had also pulled off a fine training feat in the previous race when the promising Judpot filly On The Horizon returned from a three-and-a-half month layoff to record a fourth career win in a MR 90 Handicap over 1400m for fillies and mares under Raymond Danielson.  

The next race was a Mr 106 handicap over 1160m and it also saw a follow up win. The Johan Janse van Vuuuren-trained Erupt four-year-old gelding Cosmic Star had won by 2,75 lengths over 1000m on March 16, but the seven point raise he was given did not stop him running on strongly on Saturday to beat the consistent Captain Hindsight by 1,25 lengths. Gavin Lerena is his regular pilot and the win secured him a treble on the day.

Lerena had also waltzed in by 4,25 lengths in the first race of the day, a Juvenile Plate over 1160m, on the Candice Dawson-trained Truth. This Heavenly Blue colt is out of the Frankel mare Frankly, who is out of a Fastnet Rock mare and disappointingly only won one race. However, she could make amends in the breeding shed. Truth is her second foal and second runner and the first one, Courageous, has also won a race. Futhermore, Frankly’s half-sister, the Brett Crawford-trained Mont Loisir by Vercingetorix, bolsted the pedigree about an hour-and-a-half later when winning a maiden over 1400m in the strong centre of Cape Town by an easy 2,50 lengths under Richard Fourie.

Lerena was the only treble scorer on the day at Turffontein, but the double scorers were all of Muzi Yeni, Houdalakis, Janse van Vuuren and Fanie Bronkhorst.