David Thiselton

Donovan Dillon, a stalwart Gr 1-winning graduate of the South African Jockey Academy, is all set for a breakthrough season in Australia and he has made a good start.

He has been in Australia since June 2022 but his first ride as a permanent resident in Australia was only on January 2 this year and he accumulated 29 wins in the seven months that were remaining of the season and did it at a decent strike rate of 12% and had a place strike rate of 34% for overall earnings of Aus$964,700.

Donovan previously rode exclusively for the small racing yard at the famous Arrowfield stud farm where he was based and rides were few and far between and he was also out for a long time with a serious thigh injury.

He can now look forward to a full season and will be hoping to draw the attention of the Metropolitan yards.

He has made a fine start to the 2025/2026 season as he has already had three wins, two seconds and a third in just 12 starts for a win strike rate of 25%, place strike rate of 58.3% and earnings of Aus$89,725.

His 29 wins last season put him in 229th position on the Australian log and this season his early three wins have put him in 52nd place.

He is obviously mathematically on his way to beating his rank of last season comfortably.

He said a couple of years ago he believed he could make it to the top in Australia and he is going about it in the right way.

He is based in New South Wales.

On the same page of the stats as Donovan last season were some other names who will be known to South African fans:

Heavelon van der Hoven did well with 31 wins at a strike rate of 11.6% for earnings of Aus$1,327,575. He was battling in Cape Town at one stage, although he did take home one of the biggest riding cheques in South African history when winning the 2016 CTS Million Dollar on the Glen Puller-trained Illuminator having got the ride only on the morning of the race thanks to a sore back causing Weichong to book off. Heavelon earned a cheque of about R630,000 for that chance ride.

He is also based in New South Wales and has had one win in eight rides this season.

Brandon Lerena is based in Brisbane in Queensland and had 31 wins at 13% last season for earnings of $914,885. He has had two wins in 16 rides this season.

Karl Zechner, who is also based in Queensland, had 30 wins at a strike rate of 8.3% last season for earnings of Aus$866,185. He has had two wins in 19 rides so far this season.

Jaden Lloyd, son of legendary South African jockey Jeff Lloyd, had 27 wins last season at 11.7% for earnings of Aus$1,279,570. He is also based in Queensland and has had one win in eleven rides this season.

Jeff’s sensational younger son Zac finished in 21st position on the Australian log last season with 97 wins at 1.3% and earnings of $14,566,360. He is based in New South Wales and had had one win in eleven starts so far this season.

Keagan Latham had a fine 2024/2025 season with 81 wins at a strike rate of 14.9% for earnings of Aus$3,462,050 which put him in 39th position on the Australian log. He is based in New South Wales and has had one win so far this season in 15 rides.

Sean Cormack was in 56th position with 73 wins at a strike rate of 13.2% for earnings of $2,086,130. He is based in Queensland and has had four wins in 27 rides this season.

Chad Schofield had 51 wins at 12.2% last season but had big earnings of $11,675,865 as he was associated with the top horse Ceolwulf, who won two Gr 1s last October, including the King Charles III Stakes which alone earned the connections Aus$3,060,000. He is based in New South Wales and hasn’t had a winner yet in seven rides this season.

Mark Du Plessis had 22 wins last season at a 22% strike rate for earnings of Aus$1,568,175. He is based in Queensland and hasn’t ridden since a nasty fall at Ipswich on July 3.

Callan Murray had 19 wins at 7.4% last season in Australia for earnings of Aus$766,555 before returning to South Africa. That was a good decision as his career has taken off again out here and he has already added three more Gr 1 victories to his CV in the three months he has been back.

Chris Taylor had seven wins last season at a 10.8% strike rate for earnings of Aus$116,362. He is based in Queensland and has only had two rides this season for one third.

Marnu Potgieter rode in some work riders races in South Africa, making his debut at the Vaal in December 2012. He had 42 rides in Australia last season for three wins at 7.1% for earnings of Aus$173,010. He was based in Queensland and has not had a ride since October last year.

Teaque Gould only had 14 rides in Australia last season, but had two wins for a strike rate of 14.3% and earnings of Aus$48,035, so hopefully he gets more chances this season. He is based in New South Wales and has not had a ride this season yet.

Donovan Yeo had one win in Australia last season in 18 rides at 5.6% for earnings of Aus$50,400. He is based in New South Wales and has not returned a win in two rides this season.

Lyle Hewitson had three rides in Australia last season during the Hong Kong off season and had three wins at 11.5% for earnings of $104,890.

Warren Lenferna

Racing kicks off at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth at 12:10 p.m. today, and a competitive nine-race card awaits. The first event does not form part of the exotics, but there looks to be a possible betting proposition from the Vaughan Marshall stable, Black Eagle, who has made huge improvement in every start thus far. If his odds are too restrictive, he can certainly be the anchor for all to-come bets leading into the afternoon.

The second race gets the Bi-pot underway, where Pomp It Up, if he has progressed off his eye-catching debut performance, could be more than enough for the first leg. He was inconvenienced at a crucial stage but managed to finish a creditable third behind African Memoir. He gets 200m more today and might be hard to peg back. Iko Iko looks the main danger but has had more than enough chances to get it all right.

The starting leg of the Place Accumulator presents a banker with Gimme What I Want. Huge improvement can be expected from Vixens War and One Dance, who surely have plenty more to offer and could represent some place value for the minor positions.

Trainer Justin Snaith holds the aces in the first leg of the Pick Six with the improving Queen Regent, who looks cherry-ripe to go one better. Her stablemates, La Landonne and Homing Pigeon, should be able to improve to be right there at the finish. They must be included in all bets. South Of France improved at the second time of asking and should provide plenty of cheek all the way home.

Note To Self, in the fifth, has been given an official mark of 87 after winning on debut and he could be generously treated. He could be anything, as he did impress when showing World Warrior who was boss three weeks ago.

The sixth race sees the second of the Apprentice races being run, and it is a difficult race to assess. In A Timely Manner caught the eye when winning on debut, beating Sardinia Bay, and looks to be an exciting colt in the making. Sardinia Bay has given the form a boost already.

The last two events on the program are rather tricky. The eighth, a Class 4 for Fillies and Mares, and the ninth, an Open Maiden. The interesting runner in the penultimate race is undoubtedly Rahhabba from the Bass-Robinson barn. This filly is ultra-consistent and gets valuable weight off from promising Apprentice Dezahn Louw. This Vercingetorix filly was beaten by Swiatek last time, who has since come out and won. She is a massive runner, but it is a hugely competitive line-up. Dream Searcher has won two out of her last three, and there is no reason why she can’t follow up. Watch the run from Queen Regent in Race 4 when assessing the chances of Wish List here, as Wish List was well backed last time and won as easily as she liked and can follow up.

Race nine gets underway at 16:55 p.m., and it is difficult to make a shortlist of chances. Gallic Forge improved last time, and the form has sparked up. Joueur De Flute is well-tried but has an each-way chance, and Chance Encounter let his supporters down last time but gets 1400m today, which could be exactly what this smashing colt needs. He is the narrow first choice in a competitive race.

RACE 1

10 BLACK EAGLE moved up like a winner in his last start, he travelled really well in his race, he only got caught very late by Blind Date, this looks to be the perfect race for him to exit the maiden ranks, he will be hard to beat. 3 SUNSHINE SUPERMAN was terribly green on debut, he was caught a long way back in running, he absolutely took off late to run a great race behind his stable companion on the 10th of July, he will make tons of improvement, watch him closely, he can certainly earn for the connections here. 9 IN MOTION was gelded on the 19th of June 2025, he ran a lovely race on debut behind Late December, watch for big improvement, he should be amongst the places. 4 PRINCE OF EGYPT ran a much better race last time, even though he wants further, he could sneak into the Quartet. (Brandon Bailey: 10 – 3 – 9 – 4)

RACE 2

10 POMP IT UP drifted badly in the market on debut, he was just off the speed early, and really caught the eye late behind African Memoir on the 15th of July, he should make tons of improvement from his first run into his second run, this looks to be a nice race for him to be super competitive. 6 IKO IKO ran a great race behind Note To Self last time up the straight at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, he is very consistent, he should be right there in the finish again. 9 PRINS JASPAR has been rested for 104 days, he ran a fair race on debut behind Happy Verse, if he doesn’t need the run badly on Sunday, he should be amongst the places. 5 DAY IN DAY OUT ran a shocking race in testing conditions on the 10th of July, he is much better than that performance, the blinkers have been fitted, hopefully he can bounce back to his best form. (Brandon Bailey: 10 – 6 – 9 – 5)

RACE 3

12 GIMME WHAT I WANT caught the eye late behind her stable companion on debut, she was very green and still managed to run on strongly to finish just over six lengths behind the winner, she is a lovely filly that will make tons of improvement with every start, include her into all bets, she will run a cracker. 10 PITERAQ ran a great race on the 26th of July behind Splash Of Colour, she stayed on nicely for third and was only beaten just under four lengths by the winner, she is definitely improving and her chances must be respected. 8 AMAYAH was slightly slow into stride out the gates on debut, it was a big field and she was terribly green, this doesn’t look to be a strong race on paper, if she has made any improvement back at home, she could sneak into the places at a big price. 9 ONE DANCE ran a fair race on debut behind Heritage Ridge, she went down to the start exceptionally well on that occasion, watch her closely, she should run a much better race here. (Brandon Bailey: 12 – 10 – 8 – 9)

RACE 4

6 QUEEN REGENT has been in terrific form of late, she ran a super race last time behind a very smart filly, she is definitely improving with every start, this looks to be a great opportunity for her to exit the maiden ranks. 12 SOUTH OF FRANCE has been rested for 89 days, she was heavily backed in the market last time when finishing third behind Lowveld Lily, the yard thinks highly of this individual, if she doesn’t need the run badly, she will be right there in the finish. 8 LA LANDONNE ran a great race on debut at a massive price behind her stable companion Wish List, she was just off the speed early, and then stayed on nicely late to finish just over seven lengths behind the winner, she is undoubtedly looking for further, but she should run a fair race here, include her into all bets. 11 HOMING PIGEON was far from disgraced on debut behind Stormwatch, she has a lovely action and she will enjoy the extra 200m, she could sneak into the Quartet at a decent price. (Brandon Bailey: 6 – 12 – 8 – 11)

RACE 5

1 NOTE TO SELF won very impressively on debut up the straight at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on the 22nd of July, he is a beautiful colt with a magnificent action, he will absolutely love the step up in trip, from a good draw, he will be hard to beat. 8 THE NIGHT FERRY was given a great ride by jockey Grant van Niekerk to win a good race last time, he went to the front and kept plugging away to win with lots in hand, champion apprentice Brevan Plaatjies has been booked to ride this gelding, he will be right there in the finish. 10 MELA STRENGTH never runs a bad race, he is extremely honest, unfortunately the bad draw will make life tough for him, if he gets some luck in running, he will run a good race again. 5 SUMMER NIGHT CITY could be the value in this tricky looking contest, she has dropped even further in the ratings, and she gets 4kgs off her back from the apprentice claim, she has run two fair races in succession, she definitely has a good each way chance on her best form. (Brandon Bailey: 1 – 8 – 10 – 5)

RACE 6

1 AFRICAN MEMOIR quickened up smartly to win impressively on the 15th of July, he is very quick with lots of ability, even though this is a stronger race for him on paper, he definitely looks to be better than his current rating of 79, he will take lots of beating again. 6 ESCARPMENT burst through the field to win well on the 15th of July, he was given three points for that victory, he absolutely loves the softer under foot conditions, he will be storming at them late, include him into all bets. 7 IN A TIMELY MANNER has been rested for 77 days, he finished like a train to win well on debut, the form of that race has worked out well, even though he wants further, he certainly has a good winning chance again. 4 RATTLESNAKE has been rested for 98 days, ignore his last run completely, he is much better than that poor performance, if he bounces back to his best form, he certainly has a good each way chance. (Brandon Bailey: 1 – 6 – 7 – 4)

RACE 7

4 THE US OF A has won two very good races in succession, he was given four points for his recent victory, he sat just off the speed early, and powered past his field to win in great fashion, he is progressive with lots of ability, he will be right there in the finish again. 2 ARCTIC WIZARD beat a strong field last time, he is a smart colt with a great action, he never runs a bad race and he tries hard, even though he has gone up in the ratings, he will run a huge race. 7 ELUSIVE WINTER is very fast, if he jumps out the gates cleanly, he will make them all work for victory, on his current form, he definitely has a good place chance in this field. 8 NORDIC QUEST ran a terrific race on the 21st of June behind Dean Street, she would have needed that run back from a small break, if she has made the necessary improvement back at home, she will be competitive at a good price. (Brandon Bailey: 4 – 2 – 7 – 8)

RACE 8

7 WISH LIST won her maiden in scintillating fashion on the 10th of July, she is extremely exciting, there is no doubt that she will love the step up in trip to 1400m, if she finds herself in a good position turning for home, she will be very hard to beat. 6 VIVA LA VIDA quickened up smartly to win really well on the 24th of June, she hit a flat spot going through the 300m mark last time, and then quickly put it all together to win her race by just over two lengths, she will enjoy the step up in trip, include her into all bets. 2 DREAM SEARCHER has been rested for 96 days, she won a good race on the 6th of May at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, she loves this trip of 1400m, even though she has gone up in the ratings, she should be in the places from a good draw. 1 RAHHABBA has been rested for 70 days, she ran a super race last time from a poor draw, she now gets the perfect draw of one, and she gets 4kgs taken off her back from the apprentice claim, if she doesn’t need the run badly, she could certainly trouble them in the finish. (Brandon Bailey: 7 – 6 – 2 – 1)

RACE 9

7 CHANCE ENCOUNTER has run two good races in succession, he ran second last time to a very nice horse called Saudi Cat, the form of that race has worked out well, he should love the step up in trip to 1400m, he will be hard to beat in the lucky last. 9 FUTURE FREE had absolutely no luck in running on the 15th of July, the gaps didn’t open at the right time in the home straight, he still managed to run a fair race behind Dricus, if he gets some luck in running from a bad draw on Sunday, he will certainly make a big impression in the finish. 3 GALLIC FORGE ran a much better race on the 15th of July, he ran third in a tight finish, if he can build on that performance from a good draw, he will be amongst the places again. 8 MAGNUS THE GOOD has been rested for 77 days, he has run some fair races behind nice types, on his best form, he could sneak into the Quartet. (Brandon Bailey: 7 – 9 – 3 – 8)

David Thiselton

Chad Little is joint top of the national jockeys log at present and he will have a chance of maintaining his lofty position, because the powerful Tony Peter yard have confirmed his partnership with them on Saturday was not just a temporary arrangement.

The Peter yard gave Warren Kennedy a high percentage of his winners for his two national championships and the arrangement with Little will be similar in that he will not be based on the Highveld but will travel for rides.

Paul Peter said, “It will be more less the same as it was with Warren, but we do also have Gavin (Lerena) up here and it must be remembered Chad can’t ride most weights, whereas Warren could ride anything from 50kg upwards, so it’s a bit tricky with Chad but we are going to give him a chance.”

On Saturday he had five rides for the yard for a win, a second, a third, a fourth and an unplaced run.

The yard obviously rate Chad and Paul Peter confirmed, “Chad is different class, he is a top, top jockey. He rode for me in the past for a long time and he is very close to our hearts, he is close to the family, he is a very good man and is a proper horseman. He has got great hands, he gives great feedback, good out the gates, very strong in a finish, he is an all rounder and we are very blessed to have him, it is just a pity he can’t ride lightweights.”

Chad’s official restricted weight in 56,5kg.

He has also formed a good association with Juan Nel in Gqeberha and, on top of his association with Glen Kotzen, he delivered five winners in his last five rides for the Lucinda Woodruff yard in KZN. The latter will likely be keen to use him in Cape Town.

His chief loyalty will always be with Glen Kotzen, who set Chad on the path to unleashing the potential he was always known to possess.

The winner Chad rode for Tony Peter on Saturday was a Suzette and Basie Viljoen-owned Hawwaam filly called Perfect Miracle, who waltzed in by 6,25 lengths at 33/10 odds and never looked threatened by the 5/10 favourite Quiet Winter, who could only manage third place in the end.

The Klawervlei Stud-bred filly might turn out to be a bargain buy for the Viljoens. At the Cape Racing Sales Winter Mixed Sale of 2023 they purchased Perfect Miracle’s dam, the Tiger Ridge mare Freddy’s Sister, who won four times from 1200m to 1400m, for R25,000 and at the same time bought the weanling Perfect Miracle for R90,000.

Their Hopes And Dreams stud then put Perfect Miracle on the BSA National Yearling Sale and she seems to have been a buy back as she was purchased by Peter Racing for R425,000.

Hawwaam’s progeny were quiet in his freshman season, but the impressive win by Perfect Miracle suggests the Silvano stallion could reach the heights expected of him.

Paul Peter said, “We’ve got a few Hawwaams and they are all showing ability. They take a little bit of time and we don’t push them too quick, because remember Hawwaam had a bit of a temperament. So especially as she is a filly we took our time with Perfect Miracle. It is paying dividends now and she will reward us. She showed us decent work, but we never thought she was that good. Chad was very impressed with her.”

The yard are also looking forward to the campaigns of some other top horses this season.

Their Gr 1 Mercury Sprint winner Buffalo Bill Cody is in fine fettle and Paul said, “He has taken his campaign to Durban very well. He just wants to get on with it, we were trying to give him a break but after one week we had to bring him back to track, he was just getting out of hand. Tony plans the campaigns with the owners so I’m not sure what his program will be. He is a better horse around the turn at this stage, but with a bit more experience he will produce it down the straight, because he has won down the straight. He is a very young horse mentally-wise, he is very immature, and he will just keep on improving. That is why I think he is so special.”

The yard’s imported Galileo entire The Equator’s stallion credentials for owners Willem Ackerman and advocate Nigel Riley of Heversham Park have been bolstered by his three-parts sister, the Frankel filly Lake Victoria, who added to her three Gr 1 wins as a two-year-old (Breeders Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf, Moyglare Stakes, Cheveley Park Stakes) by winning this year’s Gr 1 Irish 2000 Guineas.

The Equator also bolstered his sire potential by winning his second start in South Africa, a Pinnacle event over 1800m, by two lengths at Turffontein Standside under Gavin Lerena and he is being targeted at the Betway Summer Cup.

Paul said, “He won well and took the race very well. I think it is just onwards and upwards with him. He might be a five-year-old (by Southern Hemisphere measures) but he didn’t have much racing in Ireland and the U.K. and he was still a little bit green and spooky and the first-time blinkers last time out just settled him down. In Durban he was very green and running away from the grandstand. I think there is a lot of improvement to come. His pedigree will come out, he is so well bred, and he has got a huge action. He is just a natural.”

Paul also mentioned The Ultimate King, who was a Hollywoodbets Durban July entry last season.

He said, “He is also very decent. He is also a bit immature and we will see the best of him this season. He is running on Saturday if the field stands up.”

Please Note: South African Quartet Pools with fractional betting offered at Carlisle and Hamilton (UK) – 12 August 2025