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.

Andrew Harrison

William Of Orange has been up and down in distance as is the want of exceptional horseman Garth Puller but the drop of 1200m after stretching to 2400m at his penultimate start saw him produce his best as he got the better of Owner Of Creation in a tough fight up the straight in the first on the poly at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Friday evening.

Placed only once in nine starts, William Of Orange was not an obvious choice but he kept running under Siphesihle Hlengwa to hold off his Dennis Bosch-trainer rival.

Bosch went one better in the second as Keagan de Melo, canny to Hong Kong tactics, got first run on Vaans Spirit to win the second rather comfortably. In truth, De Melo had the race sewn up a long way out and won with plenty in hand.

An apprentice allowance can go both ways. A 4kg claimer can be a liability but trainers that pick up on early talent will always benefit. Sean Tarry cottoned on early to Lyle Hewitson that paid huge dividends for the yard. Dezahn Louw has potential but it will be a long road in a cut-throat environment.

That said, he got the best out of Wonderful Tonight for Glen Kotzen in the first leg of the Pick 6. It was anyone’s race  with a furlong to run but Louw got the best out of the favourite when it counted and Wonderful Tonight stretched away to win well in a tough open  maiden.

Like any good red wine that improves with age, Fine Wine is proving to be the equine equivalent. Winless at the start of this season, Garth Puller’s filly now boasts three wins and three seconds from just five starts and showed a fine turn of foot when coming from the back end of the field to whistle past the opposition and win going away. Zena Rose was a touch unlucky as she found some traffic but in the final analysis, she was always going to finish second.

Cole Dicken produced a telling run up the outside of a tightly bunched field as Sweeper Keeper lived up to his name. It was anyone’s race approaching the final 50 meters with a wall of horses contesting the  finish, but Dicken gave Wendy Whitehead’s gelding a clear run at the wire and he gradually wore done the opposition to get up close home with pacemaker Got The Word holding on for second in a close finish.

The now retired multiple champion jockey Anton Marcus labelled the outside of the poly track straight as the ‘golden highway’. The track has been resurfaced since but for the third race in a row, the winners all came from the back and down the outside.

In truth, Trippi’s Silk could have won the sixth from anywhere as Sean Veale hardly had to move a muscle as the gelding made light of his top weight. Slightly slow out of the gate, Veale settled his mount towards the back of the field. Wide into the straight, the writing was on the wall a long way out as Trippi’s Silk effortlessly picked off his rivals to win as he liked for Candice Bass and her assistant Terry Frip.

Masterofthedesert made it a quick double for the stable as apprentice Dezahn Louw rode a confident race on the favourite for his second winner of the evening. Well back crossing the subway as fellow apprentice Mxolisi Mbuto went for broke on Super Fast, Louw got Masterofthedesert to build into his stride and come with a well-timed run to snaffle Super Fast close home.

The last race of a night meeting was long past Gary Rich’s bedtime but it paid dividends as De Vlugge and Dawn Surprise finished one and three with Qhawekazi separating the pair. It was the third straight win for De Vlugge who pulled Mickaelle Michel into the lead and there she stayed, finishing strongly to hold off her rivals. The start did not go well for Saragossa Cat as she came out on her knees and Keagan de Melo did the right thing, easing her out of the race.

Please note: South African Quartet Pools with fractional betting offered at Plumpton (UK) – 19 April 2026.

David Thiselton

A Pinnacle Stakes race over 1600m is the headliner at Turffontein Standside today and the classy Pressonregardless looks the one to side with.

The David Nieuwenhuizen-trained five-year-old Lancaster Bomber gelding is a beautifully long-striding sort who is perfectly suited to the Standside course and he should be able to mow them down after finding a good position from a plum draw of two under leading jockey Craig Zackey. Pressonregardless is the best weighted male in the race and is only 2kg under sufferance with the best weighted runner, the filly Kisshoten. Chronicle King has proven class and this 114-rated Gr 2 winner comes off a good win over 1700m. He has a tricky draw of six in the seven horse field but should make a bold bid. Sunset Riot has won his last two starts over 1400m with ease and as his Captain Al dam Fragrant Miss won over this trip, so he should see it out. He has a tricky draw of five but the 1,5kg gender claim of Mickaelle Michel will help. He is officially 3kg under sufferance with Kisshoten. Musical Score is distance suited and has the class to be competitive under Keagan de Melo from a middle draw of four. Kisshoten has not been disgraced in her last two starts in a Gr 3 and a Gr 1 over course and distance against the girls, finishing a 1,40 length third and a 7,30 length fourth to the dominant winner Double Grand Slam, so from pole position and being best in at the weights, she can’t be ignored. Willy Meet Again is second best in at the weights and is a decent sort who could dictate, so she could be dangerous. The other runner Skittle Skies has a hard task at the weights.

In the first leg of the Pick 6 over 1400m Sendai ran a cracker last time over this trip, finishing a 1,90 length third, and has a chance in this uninspiring maiden from a middle draw of six out of 11 under Muzi Yeni.  Nebraska has run a couple of fair races over this trip category and has a chance from draw five. Winding Power has a tricky draw of eight but has the ability to earn. Cronus could earn a cheque in this line up. Brave Waam! should enjoy the step up in trip and could improve.

The second leg over 1400m is also an uninspiring maiden and Purple Rain makes plenty of appeal. She finished second in a three horse field last time, but she should relish this step up in trip and is drawn in pole with Craig Zackey up for the Sean Tarry yard. Savara’s Princess has a tricky draw but if repeating her last start she has a chance.  Master’s Rose has been thereabouts in her last couple of starts and has a fair draw. Miss River Dancer has run two fair races and on  pedigree should enjoy the step up in trip. Greenandgold has run two fair races and should be in the shake up.

In the seventh race over 2000m Scarlet O’Hara has run three good races and the form of her last run, a 7,50 length fourth to Curious Girl in the Oaks Trial, has been franked as the latter went on to win the Gr 2 SA Derby. Future Date is an honest sort who is coming into her own as a four-year-old, being by Futura, and she should be in the shake up. Free In Seattle has the ability to be right there and it should pan out well for her from draw two under Richard Fourie. Kissing Machine will enjoy stepping back to middle distances and could be a runner from pole position. Poplar Park has a 100% record in two starts over course and distance so should do well if able to overcome a wide draw under in form apprentice Blaine Marx-Jacobson.

In the eighth over 2000m Sand Script won well second time out when stepped up to 1700m and Fourie is now up. Future Gamble also enjoyed the step up in trip last time and has a chance of following up. Silver Flare should be in the shake up if able to overcome a wide draw. Rosy Lemon can never be ignored over this trip. Special Star should finish on top of Rosy Lemon on the form of their last meeting.

In the ninth over 1800m Real Stunner has the form and the ability to go close if able to overcome a wide draw and Richard Fourie aboard will help her cause.  Orange County is interesting over a slight step up in trip being by Flower Alley, with the detractor being she is out of a Var mare. Zip Code has the ability to earn here from a fair draw as she is capable of running on well if getting cover. Full Go is capable of being right there if able to overcome a wide draw and she is only half-a-kilogram under sufferance. Sky Pillar Rock disappointed last time but can do better.

In the third race over 1400m Impressive went close when stepped up to this trip second time out and can beat home Doesyourmotherknow, who has a very similar form line over the same distance category. These two fillies are drawn three and two respectively and should fight it out.

In the first race over 1160m Gathering Winter is the one to beat in this uninspiring field, although she does have draw one, which can be disadvantageous down the straight, so Wispinthewillow must also be considered.

In the second race over 1400m Sherriff Bill Brown ran a fair race last time and should enjoy the step up in trip, but won’t have it easy from a wide draw.  Lance Attack has shown some ability and must be considered. Sutter’s Mill is a first-timer by Fire Away out of a Western Winter mare who won second time out and this gelding would not need to be a star to finish prominently here.

RACE 1

4 GATHERING WINTER 3 WISPINTHEWILLOW 5 DAD’S DREAM 2 GOD’S COUNTRY

Preview: 4 GATHERING WINTER improved last time and can earn again with a repeat. 3 WISPINTHEWILLOW can go close if repeating her penultimate start when a narrow runner up over 1200m at Turffontein Inside. 5 DAD’S DREAM has the form to be able to earn in this line up.  2 GOD’S COUNTRY could earn in this field. (4-3-5-2)

RACE 2

6 SHERIFF BILL BROWN 1 LANCE ATTACK 7 SUTTER’S MILL 8 SNAP YOUR FINGERS

Preview: 6 SHERIFF BILL BROWN ran a fair second last time and in this line up could go one better. 1 LANCE ATTACK is capable of being a threat in this line up. 7 SUTTER’S MILL is a first-timer by Fire Away out of a Western Winter mare and would not need to be a star to finish prominently here. 8 SNAP YOUR FINGERS is by Futura out of a Gr 2 winner over 2800m so is likely to need further and to get better with age but a classy pedigree could be telling in this line up. (6-1-7-8)

RACE 3

3 IMPRESSIVE 4 ONWARD 1 DOESYOURMOTHERKNOW 5 PROPHECIES

Preview: 3 IMPRESSIVE has good form and is well drawn over an ideal trip. 4 ONWARD made a fair debut and should improve over this trip being by Malmoos out of a Silvano mare. 1 DOESYOURMOTHERKNOW finished a good second last time and over the same trip category has a chance. 5 PROPHECIES improved last time over 1600m but does have a tough draw. (3-4-1-5)

RACE 4

1 SENDAI 2 NEBRASKA 3 WINDING POWER 5 CRONUS

Preview: 1 SENDAI ran a cracker last time over this trip and has a chance if able to overcome draw six out of 11.  2 NEBRASKA has run a couple of fair races over this trip category and has a chance from draw five. 3 WINDING POWER has a tricky draw of eight but has the ability to earn. 5 CRONUS could earn a cheque in this line up. (1-2-3-5)

RACE 5

10 PURPLE RAIN 3 SAVARA’S PRINCESS  5 MASTER’S ROSE 9 MISS RIVER DANCER

Preview: 10 PURPLE RAIN ran well over 1200m second time out and from pole position should go close over a step up in trip she will relish on pedigree. 3 SAVARA’S PRINCESS has a tricky draw but if repeating her last start she has a chance.  5 MASTER’S ROSE has been thereabouts in her last couple of starts and has a fair draw. 9 MISS RIVER DANCER has run two fair races and on  pedigree should enjoy the step up in trip. (10-3-5-9)

RACE 6

2 PRESSONREGARDLESS 1 CHRONICLE KING 4 SUNSET RIOT 3 MUSICAL SCORE

Preview: 2 PRESSONREGARDLESS has plenty of ability and from a plum draw should go close. 1 CHRONICLE KING has class and over an ideal trip should be right there.  4 SUNSET RIOT has won his last two starts in fine fashion and will make a bold bid. 3 MUSICAL SCORE has the ability to be in the shake up here. (2-1-4-3)

RACE 7

8 SCARLET O’HARA 1 FUTURE DATE 2 FREE IN SEATTLE 3 KISSING MACHINE

Preview: 8 SCARLET O’HARA has run three good races and the form of her run las time has been franked so she could rise above her current merit rating. 1 FUTURE DATE is an honest sort who should be in the shake up. 2 FREE IN SEATTLE has the ability to be right there. 3 KISSING MACHINE will enjoy stepping back to middle distances and could be a runner from pole position. (8-1-2-3)

RACE 8

3 SAND SCRIPT 5 FUTURE GAMBLE 8 SILVER FLARE 2 ROSY LEMON

Preview: 3 SAND SCRIPT won well second time out when stepped up to 1700m and Fourie is now up. 5 FUTURE GAMBLE enjoyed the step up in trip last time and can follow up. 8 SILVER FLARE should be in the shake up if able to overcome a wide draw. 2 ROSY LEMON can never be ignored over this trip. (3-5-8-2)

RACE 9

7 REAL STUNNER 5 ORANGE COUNTY 6 ZIP CODE 11 FULL GO

Preview: 7 REAL STUNNER has the form and the ability to go close if able to overcome a wide draw. 5 ORANGE COUNTY is interesting over a slight step up in trip being by Flower Alley, with the detractor being she is out of a Var mare. 6 ZIP CODE has the ability to earn here from a fair draw. 11 FULL GO is capable of being right there if able to overcome a wide draw and she is only half-a-kilogram under sufferance. (7-5-6-11)