David Thiselton

The Corne Spies-trained three-year-old filly Elegantrix gave the stallion phenomenon Vercingetorix his eleventh stakes winner of the season when winning the Listed Betway Swallow Stakes for three-year-old fillies over 1200m on the Vaal straight course on Saturday.

It has also been a fine season for Marsh Shirtliff’s Greenacres Trust and Hemel ‘N Aarde Stud, who bred Elegantrix in partnership. Marsh stands his mares at David Hepburn Brown’s Hemel ‘N Aarde Stud and sometimes partners with the latter in the owning of mares, like they did with Elegantrix’s dam. Other winners Greenacres Trust have bred this season are the Gr 1 WSB Cape Fillies Guineas winner Quickstepgal (Vercingetorix). Marsh has also done some breeding out of Australia in the past and one of the horses he bred was the exciting Australian-bred St Harry (Harry’s Angel), who was hugely impressive on debut at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth last week. Greenacres Trust also bred  the Gr 1 winner from last season Fiery Pegasus, who has only had one start this season.

Vercingetorix broke a record for stakes winners last season with 23 black type winners and they won 33 black type races between them.

This season the reigning champion sire’s eleven black type winners have won 13 black type races between them and as the halfway mark of the season has not yet been reached he is on his way to breaking his own record.

Elegantrix was impressive from day one and was also a black type winner in her juvenile season.

After winning on debut, she later won the Gr 3 Godolphin Barb Stakes against the boys over 1100m, beating the subsequent Gr 1 Gold Medallion winner Good For You.

In her next start she finished a 1,10 length second in the Gr 1 Allan Robertson Championship behind Direct Hit with One Fine Winter 0,30 lengths behind her in third place.

She suffered a terrible trip in her next start in the Gr 2 Omada Golden Horseshoe over 1400m against the boys, but bounced back with a narrow second to Princess Of Gaul in the Gr 2 World Pool With Race Coast Debutante over 1200m.

She began this season with a 0,90 length second to World Of Alice in a Graduation Plate over 1450m, but she seemed a bit below par in her next four starts with a 3,30 length second in a Graduation Plate over 1400m to the useful One Eye On Vegas being her next best finish.

It was thus not surprising that she was only third favourite with bookmakers on Saturday at 33/10 behind the 28/10 pair One Fine Winter and Anchorage, although the tote favourite was Rifle Queen, who was returning from a layoff after easily winning her first two starts in July and August last year.

The jockeys generally went to the inside throughout the day in the races down the straight, so Elegantrix’s relatively low draw of five was advantageous.

However, it was Rifle Queen blazing a lone trail on the outside who led for most of the way. Elegantrix led the inside bunch and Ryan Munger angled her towards the far rail. She shook off the horse who had the rail, the 100/1 outsider Season’s Greetings, and went clear of the inside bunch.

It was soon clear One Fine Winter, who had to negotiate a high draw of eight, was going nowhere. Anchorage had the advantageous number one draw, but she proved quirky in her last start when trying to bite the winner close to home, and on Saturday she never really got into it.

Elegantrix used her big stride well in the finish and got the better of Rifle Queen by 1,50 lengths with Season’s Greeting beaten 2,40 lengths into third ahead of Perfect Miracle and Malibu.

Raced by Trevelen Pillay’s TKP Racing, Rob Macnab, Braam van Huyssteen, & S Poriazis, Elegantrix was an R850 000 BSA National Two-year-old Sale graduate. She is out of the once winning Danehill Dancer mare, Elegantes, and is now a winner of three races with five places from her thirteen starts and she took her stakes earnings to R748 519.

Vercingetorix is on his way to a second national Sires title as he is already just under R4 million clear of the three-times champion sire Gimmethegreenlight.

Vercingetorix had a winners-to-runners percentage of 57.9% in his championship-winning season in 2024/2025, which was the highest on the log of those sires who had a significant number of runners and this season out of the top 20 sires on the log he is the highest in that statistic again on 41.7%, which shows that apart from breeding champions he is also consistent in producing good horses.

Among the top 20 on the log, he is second highest in the Average Earnings per runner statistic this season with his 216 runners to date earning an average of R75,057, with only Ideal World being higher on R120,558, although that is from 42 runners.

Vercingetorix should approach his last season’s Average Earnings Per Runner mark of R156,124 (for 247 runners), which was second only to the sire of Equus Horse Of The Year Eight On Eighteen, whose sire Lancaster Bomber’s Average Earnings Per Runner was 157,168.

Vercingetorix is without doubt the best sales stallion of all time in South Africa with his progeny averaging R1,435 million at the National Yearling Sale last year and R 1,661,364 in the Race Coast Sales March Yearling Sale Day One.

Will he become the best producing sire in SA history too, meaning he would likely have to surpass the feats of Jet Master?

Vercingetorix had a quick double at the Vaal meeting with the Mano Pandaram-trained Vanakkam winning the race that followed the Swallow Stakes.

Please Note: South African Quartet Pools with fractional betting offered at Windsor (UK) – 18 January 2026.

RACE 1

7 HAMMERHEAD   1 BOURBON’S BEAST   3 FLAG CHAMP   8 RED CARDINAL

Summary: HAMMERHEAD (7) has improved with each outing and the step up in trip will suit. BOURBON’S BEAST (1) has been making steady improvement and ran a cracker over course and distance last time out in soft ground. He has the best of the draw and has plenty in his favour. FLAG CHAMP (3) has run two smart races over the distance but was beaten just over a length by Bourbon’s Beast when last they met. Flag Champ has a better draw this time around. RED CARDINAL (8) was a close-up second on the poly last run and can feature. The filly HARPA (9) has been close-up at recent outings but a wide draw against males is against her. (Andrew Harrison: 7-1-3-9).

RACE2

2 CYMRIC   5 ICY BLAST   8 GOLDEN RULE   4 WILD AT WAR

Summary: CYMRIC (2) has his third run after a break for his new yard. He is well weighted in this race and if anywhere near his best he will be hard to beat. Stable companion ICY BLAST (5) was not far back over course and distance last time out and meets GOLDEN RULE (8) on 1.5kg better terms. Peter Muscutt’s runner is banking on a winning hattrick, the last over course and distance beating Icy Blast by nearly two lengths. WILD AT WAR (4) was touched off on the poly last run. He has come down in the ratings and can prove dangerous. (Andrew Harrison: 2-5-8-4).

RACE3

4 PSYCHE    2 SIYABAMELLELA   5 THOUGHT CONTROL   3 SPIRIT OF SHIMLA

Summary: Tricky maiden. PSYCHE (4) was well supported on debut over course and distance and finished a close-up third. She should have come on from the experience. SIYABAMBELELA (2) was friendless in the market on debut but was beaten just over a length in an Open Maiden. That run should have brought her on. THOUGHT CONTROL (5) has finished runner-up in both starts but well beaten. She should however, feature prominently. SPIRIT OF SHIMLA (3) tried a mile last time out after two good efforts on the poly. The drop back in trip should suit and she cannot be written off lightly. (Andrew Harrison: 4-2-5-3).

RACE4

2 AVERNI PRINCESS   7 QUEEN BRAGANZA   8 PERFUME POWER   5 CELESTIAL DIAMOND

Summary: ARVERNI PRINCESS (2) has won three of her last four over the trip and is in good form. She is up in class but only has 49.5kg to shoulder which should make her a big runner. Duncan Howells has two runners. QUEEN BRAGANZA (7) disappointed when favourite after winning her first two. Back on turf over a shorter trip she can make amends. Based on jockey bookings, CELESTIAL DIAMOND (5) would be the preferred choice but she has been rested and her last run was over a mile. PERFUME POWER (8) ran a smart race first time out of the maidens. She goes well this trip and the betting could tell a story. (Andrew Harrison: 2-7-8-5).

RACE5

2 FATE OF FORTUNE   6 TAM’S KNIGHT   BLAZING FURY   1 CITY OF LOVE

Summary: Competitive handicap. FATE OF FORTUNE (2) has been in cracking form over course and distance and did not get a penalty for his runner-up berth when favourite last time out. Given his good form he can go in again. TAM’S KNIGHT (6) is lightly raced but has won both starts for Robbie Hill since arriving from the Cape. However, he has not been out since May last year. He obviously has issues so Hill is unlikely to run the gelding if not close to peak fitness. BLAZING FURY (10) has a wide draw to contend with. He looks held by stable companion SMORGASBORD  (8) on their last meeting but he has only had three runs and should have scope for improvement. CITY OF LOVE (1) was not far behind the promising Exocet last run although on the face of it his current form does not look promising. But he gets first time blinkers and from a good draw he could surprise. (Andrew Harrison: 2-6-10-1).

RACE6

1 SAFE TRAVEL   4 JAZZ FESTIVAL   5 NUMZAAN   6 ERIC’S LEGACY

Summary: SAFE TRAVEL (1) has been close-up in two races since arriving in KZN. He has the best of the draw with a 4kg claimer aboard and can give Adam Azzie his first winner since relocating from the Highveld. JAZZ FESTIVAL (4) is back on his favourite surface and was running on late behind NUMZAAN (5) when beaten two lengths. He is now 4 kg better off and should be able to turn the tables on his front-running rival. ERIC’S LEGACY (6) was not far back first up out of the maidens in soft ground. The step up in trip will suit and he shed his maiden with authority even though it was against moderate opposition. (Andrew Harrison: 1-4-5-6).

RACE7

2 THE GHOST   7 FATE DECREED   5 LILAC IN WINTER   3 MOUNTAINSOFTHEMOON

Summary: THE GHOST (2) has come down dramatically in the ratings and although shouldering a hefty 62kg she improved over course and distance last time out. FATE DECREED (7) has come on nicely in her last two and looks primed for this race. LILAC IN WINTER (5) shed her maiden first up on this course. She has improved in blinkers and the step up in trip could see her go in again. MOUNTAINSOFTHEMOON (3) is never far back. She has also dropped in the handicap and could now be off a more competitive mark. (Andrew Harrison: 2-7-5-3).

RACE8

4 HAPPY FORTUNE   2 PROM QUEEN   10 BLUE POPPY   8 SNEEUWITJIE

Summary: HAPPY FORTUNE (4) has been holding form well. She meets PROM QUEEN (2) at the same weights but the drop in trip could see the tables turned. Prom Queen’s win was not out of turn and there should not be much between the pair. BLUE POPPY (10) has the widest draw but has made steady improvement leading to her maiden win. She does appear to have some scope and has a chance again in this line-up. SNEEUWITJIE (8) has caused major boil-overs in both of her wins but she did appear to get on well with visiting French rider Mickaelle Michel and can feature again with a light weight. (Andrew Harrison: 4-2-10-8).

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.

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