Dennis Drier looks to have a bright classic season ahead of him as his Grade 1 Thekwini Stakes winner Lady In Black looks as special as his Grade 1 Tsogo Sun Gold Medallion winner Sand And Sea.

Just about everything which could have gone wrong in the running for Lady In Black went wrong for her on Sunday. She was bowled a couple of times when attempting to slot in from a wide draw and was ultimately trapped wide throughout. She then took two nasty bumps at the top of the straight and was later found to have been cut into too. Yet she still managed to stay on best of all to win by half-a-length and remain unbeaten in three starts.

Drier was full of praise for the filly and also for jockey Sean Veale. He said, “I obviously didn’t think it was going well for her. I think what won her the race was Sean didn’t panic and chase, but just sat and waited. Then when S’Manga (Khumalo) pulled his horse out at the top of the straight and gave her two nasty bumps Sean once again didn’t panic and just held her together until she could get back into her rhythm. She also showed tremendous guts and courage and, of course, ability.”

She is by Dynasty out of the Jet Master mare Mystery Dame, who won five times from 1400-1800m and was twice Grade 3 placed. Mystery Dame is a half-sister to the Jallad colt Talahatchie, who won the Grade 1 Premier’s Champion Stakes, which is the male equivalent of the Thekwini.

Bloodstock agent John Freeman, representing owners Jack Mitchell and his daughter Nancy, had to go to R1,1million to secure her at the Bloodstock South Africa National Yearling Sales.

Drier has trained a few for the Mitchells before and counted himself most fortunate to be earmarked for this one.

Drier did not know the reason he was chosen, but perhaps it was due to him having been the trainer of the most successful Dynasty female to date, Beach Beauty, who won five Grade 1s.

Lady In Black was bred by Willie Englebrecht, who has a glittering record as a breeder. After being sold she was sent to Drakenstein Stud to be spelled. Drier did not think she would be an “early” filly, so he turned down the offer to have her sent to him during the Cape Summer Season, where he always has a string at Phillippi training centre.

Instead, Lady In Black was transported to Summerveld to join him upon his return from the Cape.She showed she was special from day one. He said, “She is one of those fillies every trainer would love to have and thank goodness my name came out of the hat.”

However, he said she is completely different to Beach Beauty in everything but temperament. He said, “Beach Beauty was a small and robust little horse, but Lady In Black has a lot of scope. She has a bright future.” He added, “But in temperament she is exactly the same as Beach Beauty. Nothing worries her. She is unbelievable and very easy to work with.” Drier said she had come out of her race very well, despite the rough race she had to endure.

Lady In Black will now be earmarked for the big fillies races in the Cape Summer, with the Grade 1 WSB Cape Fillies Guineas being her chief target.

The big Twice Over colt Sand And Sea, who is unbeaten in two starts, will also be heading for Cape Town. Drier is confident he will get a mile.

Drier and Veale also had two winners together on the first day of the Gold Cup Festival of Racing on Saturday.

In the first, a Maiden Juvenile Plate over 1600m on the turf, they won with Colour Your Dreams, who was bred by James Armitage’s Sandown Stud. Armitage is the nephew of Beach Beauty’s late breeder Trevor. Drier was thrilled to witness the excitement the Philanthropist filly’s victory brought to the ten enthusiastic ladies who own her and also to the other part-owner Bobby Norton, whom Drier described as “the thorn among the roses.”

In the third race, a MR 70 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1000m on the poly, Drier and Veale won with Western Winter filly Chamber Maid. She was well supported in the betting and is owned by former Gold Circle chairman John Bescoby in partnership with former Gold Circle director Bruce Armstrong as well as by Sally Bruss, who was the stud manager of the filly’s breeders, Lammerskraal Stud. Bescoby was of course a part-owner of Beach Beauty.

By David Thiselton

The Equus Awards voting panel met at Greyville late last Sunday evening, 29 July, to decide the finalists for this season’s awards.

The voting panel comprised of Andrew Harrison, Matthew Lips, Jason Dedekind, Roger Smith, Michael Clower and RA chairman Larry Wainstein as non-voting chairperson.

The panel submitted their first round of nominations after Vodacom Durban July Day and voting for the finalists took place after the Gold Cup race meeting.

The categories and finalists are:

Champion Two-year-old Colt – distance immaterial: Eyes Wide Open, Mustaaqeem, Sand And Sea.
Champion Two-year-old Filly – distance immaterial: Brave Mary, Lady In Black
Champion Three-year-old Colt – distance immaterial: Al Sahem, Edict Of Nantes, Heavenly Blue, William Longsword.
Champion Three-year-old Filly – distance immaterial: Just Sensual, Lady Of The House.
Champion Older Male – distance immaterial: Captain America, Legal Eagle, Marinaresco, Whisky Baron.
Champion Older Filly/Mare – distance immaterial: Bela-Bela, Carry On Alice, Nightingale, Nother Russia.
Champion Sprinter – (1000 – 1200m; age/gender immaterial): Bull Valley, Carry On Alice, Rafeef.
Champion Miler – (1400 – 1600; age/gender immaterial): Bela-Bela, Captain America, Legal Eagle, William Longsword.
Champion Middle Distance – (1800 – 2200; age/gender immaterial): Legal Eagle, Marinaresco, Whisky Baron
Champion Stayer – (2400 and up; age/gender immaterial): Al Sahem, Hermoso Mundo

Voting Criteria

The awards are based on graded races and in particular Grade 1 races. As regards the stayer category, the winning horse will be at the discretion of the voting panel. This decision was taken as the only Grade 1 race in SA is the SA Derby, which would mean that this should be the obvious winner based on a single run. This would also have excluded fillies and mares.

Breeder Awards:
Stallion of the Year
Broodmare of the Year
Breeder of the Year

The Thoroughbred Breeders Association may include outstanding and/or international achievement awards.

Individual Awards:
Champion Apprentice
Champion Jockey
Champion Owner (based on stakes earned)
Champion Trainer (based on stakes earned)
Industry Merit Award
Horse of the Year Award

The awards are a glittering black-tie gala event that takes place at the Convention Centre at Emperor’s Palace on Tuesday, August 15. Clyde Basel and Graeme Hawkins will be the masters of ceremonies for the evening and guests will be treated to an array of entertainment.  There will also be an after party at the same venue.

Race 1
Preview: THINK TWICE made a good debut over 1400m and contested the finish with two decent types. Second time out over shorter she was caught wide the whole way so can be excused the below par run and from a good draw here has a good chance in an uninspiring field. DIVA FAUSTINA has been staying on well in two placed runs over 1450m and 1400m respectively. She has to overcome a wide draw but should be running on. SHEPHERD’S DELIGHT is limited but is usually thereabouts and from a fair draw can earn again in this field. KICK BUTT ran well second time out over this trip and is another who should be staying on well if dropped out from a wide draw. EESHARA is drawn well and can surprise here as she was drawn wide on debut and made little impression. (David Thiselton 11-5-1-9-7)

Race 2
Preview: LAST GIRL STANDING is in fine form and goes for a hattrick over a suitable trip from a good draw, although she is four points higher in the merit ratings. MOSS GAS won well over course and distance last time from a similar draw but does have a three point raise to overcome. CATWALK TEASE enjoys this course and distance but does have a tricky draw to overcome. MAIN ROLL was run out of it last time over 1400m but is now 2kg better off with Last Girl Standing for a 1,5 length beating and is interesting with blinkers on over the step down in trip from a fair draw. BALLY SWISS is only two points higher for her win last time over this trip at the Vaal and is drawn in pole. (David Thiselton 2-1-8-3-4)

Race 3
Preview: PURE BLONDE has been mixing it with some of the best and never been far off so can go in here from pole position over a suitable course and distance. ARABIAN BEAT has dropped to a competitive mark and is 4,5kg better off with Sporting Monarch for a 1,45 length beating. SPORTING MONARCH is a speedy and progressive sort who can land a hattrick from a good draw over a suitable course and distance where he is one from one. JUST AS I SAID keeps on defying the handicapper but is 4,5kg worse off with Arabian Beat having beaten him by a head over 1160m the last time they met. SWIFT SARAH will enjoy the course and distance and is off a competitive mark but it is never easy against the boys. (David Thiselton 4-7-6-1-2)

Race 4
Preview: STARK has dropped to a competitive merit rating and on recent evidence should be able to run on over this trip after being dropped out from a wide draw. GUN FIGHTER was staying on from a wide draw over 1000m at this course so can go close here from a fair draw over 1200m. COLD FRONT looks to be a fair sort and from a good draw can follow up on his maiden win over 1000m at Kimberly where he showed good pace and drew away in the closing stages. WESTERN WARRIOR is one from one over course and distance and although that win was in the maidens he has now dropped to a competitive looking mark. HOT AUGUST has a fair draw over a suitable course and distance and is only two points higher than his last win. MASTER BOULDER has a fair draw and is off a competitive mark. ENCHANTED ROCK returns from a seven month layoff over a trip short of her optimum and if fit enough will be running on from a wide draw. (David Thiselton 2-5-8-7-1-4-3)

Race 5
Preview: LAKAHAL is drawn in pole and is a horse with good cruising speed and the ability to kick so she might have the race set up for her by getting a tow from the speedy Levi Lady, who is drawn two outside of her. CELTIC LADY can get a tow from the aforementioned pair, being drawn between them, so she should go close with Lerena up off a competitive merit rating. LEVI LADY can use her early speed to good effect from draw three over this course and distance. (David Thiselton 3-6-2-5-1)

Race 6
Preview: SAMMI MOOSA steps back up to the trip of her only win and has a good draw for an in form yard and is off a competitive merit rating. COSMO RUSSE also enjoys this trip and can run on after being dropped out from a wide draw. AP CHANEL is three points higher than her win over this trip last time but she goes very well for Lyle Hewitson. SEPTEMBER BLOOM is distance suited and drawn in pole. CRANBERRY CRUSH has improved with blinkers and from a good draw could be involved despite the big raise in the merit ratings for her last win. RUSSIAN FRIEND can earn despite a wide draw.

Race 7
Preview: BRIGHT BRONTE was an easy winner the last time she tried this course and distance and she proved up to her new merit rating last time so should go close from draw two. BRIGTNUMBERSIX ran on well to win over 1400m last time and looks likely to enjoy this trip so can go close off just a two point higher mark from a fair draw. PARISIENNE CHIC is well drawn and distance suited. (David Thiselton 5-3-1-6-4)

Race 8
Preview: TIRZAN enjoys this trip and his merit rating looks competitive. RACING SOCKS is in good form and has a fair draw over a suitable trip. SAMAR has been going close and can run on after being dropped out from a wide draw. (David Thiselton 2-6-11-7-5)

Glen Kotzen had a red letter Gold Cup Festival Of Racing weekend and so did his clients Chrigor Stud, whose wonderfully conspicuous colours are becoming a familiar sight in South African racing.

Kotzen sent out four runners over the weekend for the Chrigor Stud operation of Hugo and Suzanne Hattingh and the yellow with royal blue checked diamonds with red sleeves and cap and royal blue diamond found the winner’s enclosure three rimes including in a Grade 1 and a Grade 3.

The Highlands Farm Stud-bred Dynasty colt Eyes Wide Open was the headliner as he ran on strongly to win the Grade 1 Premier’s Champions Stakes over 1600m, thus completing a Festival Grade 1 double for jockey Richard Fourie.

He jumped from draw six and was momentarily caught wide and headstrong around the turn, but Fourie managed to get him tucked in again one wide and he travelled beautifully from then on in. In the straight he moved up under the hands from midfield in the thirteen horse field and then had to be switched outward. Once he saw daylight he wound up into his impressive stride and won going away by half-a-length from Ancestry. He will be a serious classic horse this season and could well follow in the footsteps of the Chrigor Stud part-owned Gold Standard and become a Sun Met contender.

He was bought at the Sibaya KZN Yearling Sale last year and fetched the sale second highest price of R850,000.

He was then sent to Jane Thomas in the KZN Midlands to be spelled before making her way to Kotzen’s Woodhill Racing Estate in the Paardeberg near Cape Town.

He showed himself to be smart, “a proper horse”, from day one and was earmarked for the R1 million KZN Yearling Sales race on Vodacom Durban July day, as long as he was ready in time.

However, as it happened he became “shin sore” and was only able to make his debut on June 21 in a 1400m Maiden Juvenile Plate. He stayed on for a respectable third that day.

However, it was his next start that confirmed Kotzen’s belief in the colt as cruised to a 3,5 length victory in a Maiden over 1600m.

“It was his time which was impressive,” said Kotzen. “He ran a quicker time than the MR 82 handicap on the day and it was up with a top division mile time.”

One person who was confident he would win was Anton Marcus. The top jockey, known for his expert analysis of form, phoned for the ride and when Kotzen confirmed his stable jockey Richard Fourie would be aboard Marcus apparently said he would in that case rather watch the race from the stand.

Marcus proved right.

Kotzen had two other runners in the race, Sea King and the Chrigor Stud-owned Pack Leader.

Sea King, formerly owned by Kotzen and his son Kuyan togetrher with T Muthusamy, was bought by Greenstreet Bloodstock before the race and the Judpot colt finished a 1,15 length fifth.

Kotzen said Pack Leader’s rider Craig Zackey had said he might have won the race if a gap had not closed on him at a crucial stage. The Philanthropist colt finished a 1,45 length seventh.

Earlier in the day Varsfontein Stud-bred Chrigor Stud-owned Captain Al filly Princess Peach had won the Grade 3 The Sunlife Vitamins Debutante Stakes over 1200m under Fourie, when seeing off the challenge of the highly regarded Neptune’s Rain.

Kotzen said she was a bit of a quirky filly, “a real madam”. However, this is not unusual for a talented filly.

He added, “She is really smart and came right at the right time. Her pedigree suggests she will want a mile and she has a helluva action, so we will likely go the Guineas route with her.”

Kotzen won the first race of the day, a Maiden Plate over 1000m on the poly with Edith’s Rose, a What A Winter filly ridden by Randolph.

He said, “It was very exciting to provide Morris Ferreira with his 80^th winner on such a big day.” Kotzen also acknowledged the fine work put in by Ferreira’s racing manager Des Goncalves.

He was full of praise for the improving Edith’s Rose and continued, “She won in a fantastic time.” Her chief target will be one of the expensive sales races over 1400m.

Kotzen ended Sunday by pulling off a fine training feat. The six-year-old Greys Inn gelding Gone Baby Gone was off for about a year-and-a-half with injury at one stage and he has brought him back slowly but steadily this year. He won a MR 94 Handicap over 1900 on the polytrack on Sunday under Erico Saziso Ngwane.

On day one of the Festival on Saturday Kotzen won with the speedy Chrigor Stud-owned Gee Whizz, a two-year-old filly by Sail From Seattle who did well to beat older fillies over 1000m in a MR 82 Handicap under Fourie. However, she will now have to go for a wind operation as she has a breathing issue.

Kotzen’s looks to have an exciting classic season ahead of him and his yard look to have a good chance of making a few headlines.

By David Thiselton

It was a great weekend’s racing at Greyville in Durban and one of the highlights was seeing Anthony Delpech receive his memento from Gold Circle for achieving South African Champion Jockey status for the third time. Delpech who is based in KZN will be crowned South African Champion at the upcoming Equus Awards to be held at Emperors Palace in Johannesburg on Tuesday, August 15.

Delpech notched 195 winners with a 22% strike rate and total stakes of R24,5 million at the close of Champions Season on Sunday night. This is something to be very proud of! Greg Cheyne finished second on 151 winners and Gavin Lerena only one winner behind in third. Delpech’s best season was 1998/1999 when he rode 335 winners and is a record that is unlikely to been broken. Amazingly, his best week during that time was when he rode 16 winners!

Delpech says that there are pro’s and con’s to travelling to chase the title. The pro’s are that you can ride for more than one trainer and various owners and one gets to ride a lot more horses during the week and with that comes more winners. The down side of travelling is that he is unable to ride as much morning work as he would like.

“This is one side of my job that I really enjoy,” he says. Another negative is missing out on family time and having to spend hours to and from the various airports and race courses. Airline food can also become a little tedious. “Sometimes I go for days without seeing my kids,” he says. The champion jockey has absolutely no regrets that he chose to freelance some time ago. He does still ride for his former boss Mike De Kock as he trains a lot of his sponsor’s horses.

Delpech is sponsored by Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein Studs that are owned by mother and daughter Mary and Jessica Slack respectively.

Delpech was fortunate in that he was well supported by riding for the powerful stables of De Kock, Dean Kannemeyer and his sponsors. He was also well supported by others trainers country wide.

Delpech is the complete professional but when asked if he would go for the championship again he hedged his bets. “Not from the beginning of the season, but if I find myself in the top three or four I will push the last three months like I did now. It is too long to push myself from the beginning of the season for a whole year at my age!”

48-year-old Delpech mentioned that the highlight of his season was having two Grade One winners in his first season for his new sponsors.  Bela-Bela and Nightingale are two horses that Delpech has fond memories of this Champions Season. He rates these two mares and says they are a pleasure to ride and full of heart.

By Warren Lenferna