David Thiselton

Piere “Striker” Strydom is generally regarded as one of the two best jockeys in South African history together with Michael “Muis” Roberts and it was a sad moment when racing fans heard this week that he had not renewed his license for the forthcoming season, especially considering his two wins on Saturday at Turffontein Standside were vintage Piere Strydom.

“My last ride on Gold Cup day is Royal Victory and if he wins, I will call it a day then,” he chuckled.

It would be perfect to go out with a Gr 1 winner (HKJC Champions Cup), but otherwise his last meeting will be at the Vaal on July 31.

There are a number of reasons Striker will be hanging up his boots.

He said, “I just came to the point where I didn’t feel like getting on a horse. It’s always nice to ride these winners, it still gives you a thrill, and knowing that you’re doing the job right and to see other people happy. I’ve always been a competitive person, but how do I compete when I don’t want to ride. I still do the job I need to do, but when you start thinking about the possibility of getting injured again and stuff like that you know it is time to call it.”

Piere’s weight was also a problem. Sometimes he was not able to ride the top horses he was associated with because he could not make the weight. For example when three-year-old Fatal Flaw, whom he rode to Gr 1 WSB Cape Fillies Guineas glory, ran next in the Gr 1 Maine Chance Farms Majorca Stakes she was set to carry 55kg so he was unable to ride her.

He has also recently lost a trio of top rides with Quid Pro Quo departing overseas, Dyce injured and he was fired from See It Again.

Piere was looking forward to having a go at equalling the Hollywoodbets Durban July record of five wins in the big race, but after losing the See It Again ride his weight scuppered his chances of another ride as all the topweights were already booked.

His age also made insurance and medical aid costs so expensive that it was hardly worthwhile riding.

When he had a meeting with his insurance company recently the deal he got in the event he stopped race-riding was much improved and made his decision to retire as a “no brainer.”

Piere felt he had come back too soon from his fall at the Vaal on New Year’s Eve in order to make it for the WSB Met and said that had also affected him.

He added, “I felt I was way better when coming back from my two-and-a-half week holiday in the USA. I could move my neck and all that, so that break does help you. Working through something is not always good.”

Striker recounted he was never supposed to be a jockey.

He recalled, “From the age of about 12 I went to the track in the school holidays and my Dad would put me on his horses and they would bolt and I would think who in their right mind would want to do this? This is crazy. My cousins and friends would come and couldn’t wait to ride horses in the morning and those horses would bolt. I would think these guys are stupid. I used to hide away in the toilets, because I didn’t know how to ride horses. My Dad used to call me Bangbroek (scaredy pants)!”

He added, “I went on a holiday with my Granny and the next minute I was told ‘you are going to Greyville in Durban to apply for the Academy’. I wasn’t even sure they were going to accept me as the criteria was more hectic then and there were about 32 people who applied. I didn’t know what to expect going to the Academy and I was scared to ride horses and I was on my own.”

He continued, “I overcame my fear because they put you on really quiet old horses. As you start managing these quiet horses, they put you on something a bit stronger and a bit more feisty, so you progress. You learn to ride a horse properly and then you go to track, which is another story and that’s when you trusted the trainer to put you on a horse that’s quiet.”

Striker became one of the great horsemen jockeys and soon became particularly good at handing difficult horses due to the instinct he developed about what horses like and don’t like and how they like to be handled.

Nevertheless, it took him 56 rides to have his first winner, the Johnny Nicholson-trained Saadabad at Scottsville.

He felt his breakthrough towards becoming a great jockey happened when he went to the East Cape in his fourth year at the Academy and became East Cape champion apprentice and the following year he became the South African champion apprentice while still in the Eastern Cape. In his first year out of the Academy he became East Cape champion jockey usurping Gavin Venter, which was a fine achievement as the latter rode for the powerful Stanley Greeff yard.

The tough love of his father Hekkie Strydom paid off in getting Piere into the Academy and Hekkie then honed Piere’s race-riding skills.

“My Dad used to say to me you don’t win a race at the 200m mark, you win at the winning post and he would make me sit on horses for as long as possible. The conditions suited this style as the pace in the East Cape was always too fast.”

This was all a learning curve as Piere soon recognised you could not win on all horses in that way as some could not quicken well enough, but as the style suited the conditions and the wins were actually often late flying ones, the local journalist know as “Rob Roy” nicknamed him “Striker”.

Piere’s relocation to the Highveld was at the suggestion of Louis Goosen, who became the shy young man’s agent.

Striker became almost an instant sensation up there and it set him on the path to his status today as a living legend.

RACE 1

12 TULIP FIELDS   13 BELLIGERENT   1 LOVE THE USA   3 WINTER BLESSING

Summary: Many first timers so keep an eye on the betting. Of those that have run, TULIP FIELDS (12) caught the eye on debut when running on stoutly on the poly. Down in trip but should run well. BELLIGERENT (13) improved nicely second time out and should be primed for this. LOVE THE USA (1) has not been far back in two starts and gets a 4kg claimer aboard. WINTER BLESSING (3) has had a few chances but has shown some ability and has run well on this course. (Andrew Harrison: 12-13-1-3).

RACE 2

7 MFETHU   9 BOARDWALK BREEZE   8 EXOCET   3 COWBOY COUNTRY

Summary: Many first timers. MFETHU (7) made a smart debut on this course and Gavin Lerena picks up the ride from a suspended Sean Veale. BOARDWALK BREEZE (9) has been knocking at the door and must have a strong chance on his best effort. Debutantes COWBOY COUNTRY (3) and EXOCET (8) both got favourable comments from their trainer’s and could be best of the first timers. (Andrew Harrison: 7-9-8-3).

RACE 3

3 DIRECTOR   10 GOOD OMEN   1 GALLIC VICTOR   2 THIRTEEN FOURTEEN

Summary: DIRECTOR (3) improved nicely at second time of asking and with a handy draw he should put in a good shift. GOOD OMEN (10) has drawn wide but was much improved last run behind Gr1 Premier’s Champion Stakes entry Ziyan’s Pride. THIRTEEN FOURTEEN (2) found some market support on debut and although a well-beaten fourth he should come on with the experience. GALLIC VICTOR (1) comes from a strong stable and is one to watch in the betting. (Andrew Harrison: 3-10-1-2).

RACE 4

11 RALPH THE RASCAL   1 KIMBAL O’HARA   3 DANCING ON A CLOUD   7 ROOSTER BRADSHAW

Summary: RALPH THE RASCAL (11) has a wide draw to contend with but came good last run over course and distance. Although he steps up in class he still has leading apprentice Brevan Plaatjies aboard with his 1.5kg claim. KIMBAL O’HARA (1) has the best of the draw but is 3kg worse off at the weights with Ralph The Rascal for a half-length beating and seems unlikely to turn the tables. DANCING ON A CLOUD (3) has been disappointing since his maiden win but gets first time blinkers which could bring out the best. ROOSTER BRADSHAW (7) came from a long way back to win his latest on the poly. This longer straight will suit. (Andrew Harrison: 11-1-3-7).

RACE 5

5 UZWANO   6 BRISTOL HERCULES   11 GO GRAYSON GO   7 THE BRIEF

Summary: Open handicap. UZWANO (5) has won his last two on the poly with blinkers but he has won on the turf. He looks progressive and can go in again. BRISTOL HERCULES (6) is seldom out of the money and goes well over course and distance. THE BRIEF (7) has his first outing for a new stable. He comes with useful Highveld form and is one to watch in the betting. GO GRAYSON GO (11) has a tricky draw to overcome but gets the benefit of Rachel Venniker’s 1.5kg allowance over what looks to be his optimum trip. (Andrew Harrison: 5-6-11-7).

RACE 6

8 PRANKSTER   9 TERIYAKI   3 NOW I GOT YOU   1 JANE’S VISION

Summary: PRANKSTER (8) was a comfortable winner of his last start on this course and could be difficult to beat in this line-up. TERIYAKI (9) seldom runs a poor race and his last two have been on the poly starting at long odds. He looks better suited to this trip. NOW I GOT YOU (3) has a handy 4kg claimer aboard and is holding form while JANE’S VISION (1) can be dangerous. (Andrew Harrison: 8-9-3-1).

RACE 7

1 GOOD TRAVELLER   2 KHETHIWE’S DESTINY   10 MPHAKA   11 GORGEOUS GUY

Summary: GOOD TRAVELLER (1) is long overdue but the handicappers have been reluctant to drop his rating given his consistency. That could change here. KHETHIWE’S DESTINY (2) is relatively lightly raced but has some useful from in good company. She gets first time blinkers and a tongue-tie and should be competitive in this line-up. MAPHAKA (10) has not been out since January and Hollywoodbets Kenilworth so his fitness must be taken on trust. However, Cape form is generally a lot stronger than local and he shed his maiden over course and distance. GORGEOUS GUY (11) has consistent form and won his last comfortably but is up in class. (Andrew Harrison: 1-2-10-11).

RACE 8

12 MASTEROFTHEDESERT   9 MAR DEL PLATA   6 IN THE BAG   5 MOYA WA LINGA

Summary: Terry Fripp has been looking after Candice Bass-Robinson’s runner during Champions Season and he could lead in another winner in MASTEROFTHEDESERT (12). The gelding has shown up nicely in his two local starts but has been dropped two-points in the handicap which could be enough to see him home. MAR DEL PLATA (9) seldom runs a bad race and loves this course. IN THE BAG (6) may just have needed his first run for his new stable while MOYA WA LINGA (5) has been consistent and gets a 4kg claimer up which will help his chances of a sixth win. (Andrew Harrison: 12-9-6-5).

Andrew Harrison

Punters face a competitive card at Hollywoodbets Scottsville today but they can hopefully fill their wallets for a tilt at the big races on the World Pool Gold Cup card this Sunday.

There is a racing adage that warns that you can go bankrupt backing two-year-olds so punters should tread cautiously in the card opener with many first timers in the field.

However, of those that have run, Tulip Fields caught the eye on debut for Dean Kannemeyer when running on stoutly on the poly. She is down in trip but should run well and hopefully save a few Bi-pot tickets. Belligerent improved nicely second time out and should be primed for this while Love The USA  has not been far back in two starts and gets a 4kg claimer aboard.

There are also first timers in the opening leg of the PA where debutantes Cowboy Country and Exocet both got favourable comments from their trainer’s and could be worth following. Of those that have run, Mfethu made a smart debut on this course and Gavin Lerena picks up the ride from a suspended Sean Veale. Boardwalk Breeze has been knocking at the door and must have a strong chance on his best effort.

Director improved nicely at second time of asking and with a handy draw he should put in a good shift in the first leg of the Pick 6. Good Omen has drawn wide but was much improved last run behind Gr1 Premier’s Champion Stakes entry Ziyan’s Pride. Thirteen Fourteen found some market support on debut and although a well-beaten fourth he should come on with the experience. The regally bred Gallic Victor comes from a strong stable and is one to watch in the betting.

Bo Ngcobo got the best out of Ralph The Rascal to win over course and distance last time out and although drawn wide the eight-year-old can follow up in the fourth. Although he steps up in class he still has leading apprentice Brevan Plaatjies aboard with his 1.5kg claim. Kimbal O’Hara has the best of the draw but is 3kg worse off at the weights with Ralph The Rascal for a half-length beating and seems unlikely to turn the tables. Dark horse could be Dancing On A Cloud. He has been disappointing since his maiden win but gets first time blinkers which could bring out the best. Rooster Bradshaw came from a long way back to win his latest on the poly and this longer straight will suit.

The fifth is an open handicap. Uzwano has won his last two on the poly with blinkers but he has won on the turf and looks progressive. Bristol Hercules is seldom out of the money and goes well over course and distance and is a must in all exotics. The Brief has his first outing for Nathan Kotzen but  comes with useful Highveld form and is one to watch in the betting. Go Grayson Go has a tricky draw to overcome but gets the benefit of Rachel Venniker’s 1.5kg allowance over what looks to be his optimum trip.

In the sixth, Gareth van Zyl’s runner Prankster could be one of the better bets on the card as he was a comfortable winner of his last start on this course and could be difficult to beat in this line-up. Tony Rivalland sends out Teriyaki who seldom runs a poor race. His last two have been on the poly starting at long odds but he looks better suited to this trip. Of the others, Now I Got You has a handy 4kg claimer aboard and is holding form while Jane’s Vision can be dangerous.

Good Traveller is long overdue but the handicappers have been reluctant to drop his rating given his consistency for Michael Roberts. That could change in the seventh. Khethiwe’s Destiny is relatively lightly raced but has some useful from in good company. Mathew de Kock has declared first time blinkers and a tongue-tie and she should be competitive in this line-up. Maphaka has not been out since January at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth so his fitness must be taken on trust. However, Cape form is generally a lot stronger than local and he shed his maiden over course and distance. Gorgeous Guy has consistent form and won his last comfortably but is up in class.

Terry Fripp has been looking after Candice Bass-Robinson’s runners during Champions Season and he could lead in another winner in Masterofthedesert to round off the card. The gelding has shown up nicely in his two local starts but has been dropped two-points in the handicap which could be enough to see him home. Mar Del Plata seldom runs a bad race and loves this course. In The Bag may just have needed his first run for his new stable while Moya Wa Linga has been consistent and gets a 4kg claimer up which will help his chances of a sixth win.

Please Note: South African Quartet Pools with fractional betting offered at Lingfield and Wolverhampton (UK) – 22 July 2025

David Thiselton

Equus Horse Of The Year Dave The King, The Hollywoodbets Durban July winner The Real Prince, the Highveld Horse Of The Season Fire Attack, Gr 2 IOS Drill Hall Stakes winner Gladatorian, dual Gr 1-winning stalwart See It Again and the consistent dual Gr 1-winning Royal Victory will ensure that this year’s renewal of the Gr 1 HKJC Champions Cup is going to be one of the races of the season.

Of the trio that make up the field of nine Montien proved when second in the prestigious Gr 1 weight for age L’Ormarins King’s Plate over 1600m that he can mix it successfully with the best and he then confirmed that with a cracking 0,90 length third in the Gr 1 WSB Met over 2000m, while Son Of Raj and Litigation look a bit outgunned here but are no slouches.

The Champions Cup is viewed as a race which favours the horses who did not run in the Hollywoodbets Durban July i.e. the “fresh” horses.

However, the list of the last ten winners makes that theory refutable.

The below shows the last ten winners of this race and whether they were fresh or ran in the July:

2015: Futura (ran in the July), 2016: Marinaresco (ran in the July), 2017: Sail South (fresh), 2018: Captain America (fresh), 2019: Rainbow Bridge (ran in the July). 2020: Golden Ducat (ran in the July), 2021: Jet Dark (fresh), 2022: Jet Dark (ran in the July), 2023: Princess Calla (fresh, although ran on July day in the Garden Province), 2024: Dave The King (fresh).

So the tally is 5-5 in the last ten renewals.

Dave The King once again did not run in the Hollywoodbets Durban July, because he does not say the trip, and he will be going for a double-double i.e. winning both the Gr 1 wfa Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge and Gr 1 wfa HKJC Champions Cup for two seasons in succession. The Global View five-year-old gelding is a horse with a giant stride who is capable of unwinding a finish from 800m out, which makes him hard to beat at this tight track as he has proved when winning the Gold Challenge for the last two years and when winning this race last year. Callan Murray has ridden him in his last two starts, both wins, so knows him well and can get the best out of him from draw four.

The Real Prince proved his class when winning the Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Durban July over 2200m and will be a big runner if at his best from pole position. He had a weight advantage in the July and at weight for age level this is tougher, but in his penultimate start he was flying in effortless style from off the pace for fourth place in the Gr 2 IOS Drill Hall Stakes over 1400m, so he looks capable of making the step up and he will enjoy this trip. He is not as fresh as Dave The King, but the fact his connections are taking a chance shows that he has pulled up well from the July and from pole position he is a big runner.

Fire Attack had some minor issues that saw him missing the Gr 1 Daily News 2000 and trainer Alec Laird had his doubts he would have run in the July anyway. However, he made a fine comeback from a three month layoff on July 6, only just failing to catch the progressive Choisaanada in the Gr 3 4Racing Sea Cottage Stakes over 1800m, despite giving the latter 3kg. He possesses a strong finish and as a relatively fresh horse has a fine chance under champion jockey Richard , Fourie, although draw seven is tricky.

Gladatorian possesses a fine turn of foot as he proved when winning the Gr 2 IOS Drill Hall Stakes over 1400m and arriving only just too late when having some traffic problems and being beaten just 0,35 lengths by Dave The King in the Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge over 1600m. At last he has drawn well, so will be a massive runner if at his best, with the question mark being how much the July took out of him.

See It Again missed the July due to an abnormal blood count, but this dual Gr 1 winner over 2000m has shown this winter that he has at last settled down from his gelding at the beginning of the season and looks to be back to his best. He was touched off in the Drill Hall and was badly hampered in the Gold Challenge before running on, so a line can be drawn through the latter race. He has a middle draw of five and will be attempting to do better than his third place finish in this race last year and his second place in 2023.

Royal Victory never runs a bad race, but it has to be said that both of his Gr 1 wins were on the Highveld and in his only test in this class of field at weight for age level he was beaten was beaten 3,10 lengths in this race last year. He might have been tired from the July last year, whereas this year he has been supplemented into this race so is obviously in fine fettle. He was also only just touched off by Fire Attack in the Gr 1 wfa Premier’s Champions Challenge over 2000m on the Highveld in late March, so on paper he should finish on top of that one.

Montien is a highly effective handy to front-running sort when at his best. He has been most disappointing in the Champions Season this winter, but had wide draws to overcome in both races, the Drill Hall and Gold Challenge. From a good draw in this race he has the chance to show the class that carried him to second place in the Prestigious Gr 1 weight for age L’Ormarins King’s Plate over 1600m and to a 0,90 length third in the Gr 1 weight for age WSB Met over 2000m.

Son Of Raj is a former Gr 1 SA Derby winner and he has earned his merit rating of 119. However, the first seven mentioned above are all rated 125 or above, so he has a tough task here at the weights.

Litigation is rated only 113, so has it even tougher.

Dave The King is selected to beat The Real Prince with Fire Attack next best and Gladatorian, See It Again and Montien could follow them home in  that order.