Last year’s Met winner Smart Call has been sent to Sir Michael Stoute who was an interested spectator at the Sun Met on Saturday.

The five-year-old, who also won the Maine Chance Paddock Stakes, was sent to Newmarket via Mauritius and was based at Mary Slack’s Abington Place stables when still trained by Alec Laird. He intended running her in the Sun Chariot Stakes before sending her to America for the Breeders’ Cup meeting but she met with a late setback and had to be scratched from the Newmarket Grade 1. It was then decided not to go for the Breeders’ Cup.

Mrs Slack said: “We are still not sure exactly what she did but it can’t have been much because nobody could find anything wrong. But we will have to see how she is when she starts training with Michael.”

By Michael Clower

Sun Met winner Whisky Baron’s part-owner Ross Kieswetter admitted emotions had run high in their second floor box at Kenilworth on Saturday and even a few tears were shed among the hugs and kisses.

His parents, Wayne and Belinda, and brother Craig, together with racing manager Craig Carey, have poured both professionalism and passion into the owning-and-breeding operation named  Ridgemont Stud.

To have won the Met so early in Ridgemont’s existence was beyond words and Ross said, “The July is the July, but for a Capetonian to win the Met … it’s huge.”

Ross and Craig, who are the official owners of Whisky Baron, had decided over dinner one night to name the Australian-bred horse in honour of their father and this made the win even more special. Wayne is an entrepreneur whose business successes include a partnership in a whisky distillery company in Scotland. Belinda was born in Scotland and sons Craig and Ross thus chose racing colours which resemble the national flag of Scotland, the St. Andrews Cross.

Ross became confident of victory at roundabout the 300m mark, at which stage Whisky Baron was ranging up to the favourite Legal Eagle. “Greg Cheyne had once told me this horse’s biggest asset was that he has a second kick,” he revealed. Whisky Baron duly found another gear to draw clear and win by a cosy 1,5 lengths, thus giving trainer Brett Crawford his third Met and Cheyne his first.

Ross described racing as an “addiction” and said if this characteristic had not previously existed within him it had now “definitely kicked in!” His father Wayne had been involved in racehorse ownership many years ago on a small scale and even used to work ride for his trainer Chris Snaith on Muizenberg beach.

When Wayne recently returned to the game his passion was evidenced by him buying Ross a racehorse for his 18^th birthday. This Australian-bred colt by Elusive Quality, trained by Joey Ramsden, went on to win four races. About two years ago Wayne founded Ridgemont Stud as a banner for the family’s racing and breeding operation.

Kieswetter brought in Craig and Amanda Carey, who have vast experience working with and breeding thoroughbreds as well as being involved in other industry concerns (Craig is a Director of Cape Thoroughbred Sales (CTS) and Amanda is CTS’ Sales Manager). Although racing and breeding is Wayne’s hobby, he has, dedicated himself to the Ridgemont operation “big time”, according to Carey.

Kieswetter and Carey have strategy and feedback meetings a few times a week. Ridgemont Stud’s emphasis is on quality not quantity and they in fact currently have only about 24 horses in training.

It was decided at the time of Ridgemont’s formation that Craig and Ross Kieswetter would race the colts in their colours, while the fillies would run in the Ridgemont colours.

Whisky Baron, who was selected in Australia by Carey and trainer Joey Ramsden, was in fact the first racehorse Craig Kieswetter ever owned. Craig Carey recalls Whisky Baron at the Sales. He had a “huge hindquarter” and was a very good “mover”, so was purchased despite his sire Manhattan Rain having still been unproven at that stage.

Carey points out Ridgemont is very much a team effort and everybody involved participates actively. Ross, for example, has had a stint at both Klawervlei Stud, under the guidance of John Koster, and with trainer Willie Haggas in England, in order to learn the ins and outs of breeding and racing. He has also done some bid spotting.

Ridgemont has recently bought one of South Africa’s most established stud farms, Highlands Farms Stud, which was taken to great heights by the late great business magnate Graham Beck. They have thus overnight landed some top quality bloodlines, including the reigning Equus Champion Broodmare Our Table Mountain.

Ridgemont had earlier bought a plot in Wellington, where Craig and Amanda Carey now back and pre-train the company’s racehorses. Mike Sharkey, the long time stud manager of Highlands, will continue in his role, so is now also part of the Ridgemont team.

This suits Craig Carey as the plot in Wellington is a good base from which to visit Ridgemont’s horses in training (Racing Manager is one of Carey’s roles). The plot is also conveniently close to the airport, as Carey attends many Sales around the globe on behalf of Ridgemont.

Craig Kieswetter played one day cricket for England 71 times as a wicketkeeper-batsman before an eye injury ended his career. He is now attempting to qualify for the European golf tour. However, he flies back and forth between South Africa and Europe, so is still able to play an active role in Ridgemont. Carey envisages Craig one day being very much part of the day to day running of the operation.

Ridgemont already have a couple of valuable broodmares overseas in Cold As Ice and In The Fast Lane, through whom they will be able to bring good thoroughbred genes into South Africa. The pair  will stand in the UK and Australia respectively and will thus have access to top sires. However, their progeny will be imported to South Africa. Cold As Ice looks likely to go to Oasis Dream this season, while In The Fast Lane is in foal to one of Australia’s leading sires Snitzel.

Brett Crawford is currently Ridgemont’s chief trainer, but they also have five or six horses with Candice Bass-Robinson, one with Eric Sands, some with Alan Greeff in Port Elizabeth and a couple with Ormond Ferraris.

However, they intend expanding their number of trainers.

Whisky Baron will soon be departing for Drakenstein Stud, where he will have a well deserved holiday. Carey said the big horse would then likely be on his way to KZN, where the Vodacom Durban July will be his chief target.

He has been accorded a 120 merit rating by the handicappers, who used third placed Captain America as the line horse, so is likely to be top weight in the July.

Craig and Ross are only 29 and 23 years-old respectively. To have such dynamic youngsters achieving success as owners is brilliant news for South African racing.

By David Thiselton

Scottsville February 01 Tips and Race Previews by Andrew Harrison

Race 1
Preview: TRINI’S VAR HYT found betting support on debut and proved too strong for odds-on favourite ARGO MAGIC who she meets again. The latter franked that form next time out. ROYAL EXPLORER finished behind both of them on debut and won next time out. That form looks fairly cut-and-dried but each will have progressed and the betting may be a better guide. (Andrew Harrison: 3-1-2-4).

Race 2
Preview: TCHNO CAPTAIN can be a difficult customer but has shown ability. He was running on well last start and could be finding his feet. SHINE UP has been struggling to win but has gone close on many occasions. Marcus his back aboard. JUST POSITIVE has been close-up at recent outings and the step up in trip could bring the best out in him. FIRE BOLT has been very green in all his starts and has a chance if the penny drops. (Andrew Harrison: 1-5-6-4).

Race 3
Preview: Weak field. AIR SALUTE has his second outing after a break and has shown some ability. He can feature strongly in this field.  COURAGEOUS KING improved last run over ground. He is struggling to win but that form has been franked and he can feature here. GESTE has been disappointing and can do better than his last run. The blinkers are back on. OLLIE POTS is still green but is up in trip and now tries blinkers. (Andrew Harrison: 5-1-2-4).

Race 4
Preview: FASHION QUEST has her third run after a break. She stays the trip and is well draw. HOUR GLASS showed some improvement last run when returning from a break. She will much prefer this trip and can improve further. Stable companion ROY’S KAITRINA was a beaten favourite last run but goes well for this apprentice although he best form has been on the poly. BOTTLENOSE made good improvement at her second start and looks to have scope for further improvement. ATTIC VIEW has come good at recent outings. Delpech rides and she can go one better. LAST SUMMER improved in blinkers and can feature. (Andrew Harrison: 1-4-2-8).

Race 5
Preview: ISINGAMOYA is a smart filly and goes well over course and distance. She met a strong field of males last start and although she does face a useful field she looks good enough. FREE STATE has yet to finish out of the money. She has a good record on this course and looks the biggest threat to the selection. JUST VOGUE has been racing over shorter of late but has done well over course and distance. She has a handy weight and should finish thereabouts. MISS VARLICIOUS is slowly dropping in the handicap and could be competitive by next Christmas. (Andrew Harrison: 1-3-7-2).

Race 6
Preview: Wide open. REAGARDSTOBROADWAY is quick and has been up against strong of late. She is down in class but takes a corresponding rise in weight. SARABI shed her maiden at second time of asking. She looks to have some scope and can follow up. ROY’S FOLLY put in a good effort against stronger on the poly last time out. She back on the turf but can feature. HALLOWED SPRING tries blinkers and can improve on recent showings. JUST RAP will be ridden by Sky Gilbert who makes her local debut for her step-father Des Edges. She has been riding in the UK. (Andrew Harrison: 1-7-2-3)

Race 7
Preview: MASTER SAM goes well this course and distance and looks to have a strong chance in an open race. CADDY MASTER surprised on debut and has been up against stronger since. This is his second run after a break and can go close in this company. ALDRIC is seldom far back but is a couple of lengths better in soft ground. BLUNDERBUSS has improved in blinkers and can feature over this shorter trip. (Andrew Harrison: 4-1-2-5).

Race 8
Preview: TROPICAL’S SON has a tricky draw to contend with but has been running well to stronger of late and should feature in this company. LEDIMASPRINCESS has taking on some useful fillies and although she has a big weight, tricky draw and takes on males she has enough class to run a big race. FULLY CHARGED has come on nicely since being tried in blinkers and put ack on the turf. ROYAL ZULU GUARD is a veteran but has dropped right down in the ratings and back on the turf he could be the surprise package. (Andrew Harrison: 7-1-8-12).

Race 9
Preview: CABINDA has had many chances but tends to find one or two too good. He will never get a better chance than this and may be worth one more chance. ADMIRAL’S GUEST was much improved last run and appears to have come to hand. The extra should suit. MANOUCHE was in need of his last run. He has shown some ability and should go well from a pole position draw. STREET BOY was a distant second last start but has done better from a good draw. (Andrew Harrison: 2-1-3-8).

Mark Dixon hit form with a double at Scottsville on Sunday and his smart filly Isingamoya can get back to winning ways at the same venue today where she is joint top weight in a FM 92 Divided Handicap over 1200m. Three of her four wins have been over course and distance and she makes a return to female company again after taking on some smart males in a set weights event last time out.

Although she has won around the turn on the Greyville poly track she does appear better on the turf down the Scottsville straight where she recorded her last win beating the useful Deep Down Rebel giving the runner-up 8.5kg.

On the strength of that showing she was sent to the Highveld for a crack at the Gr2 Magnolia Handicap but after showing good pace she folded over the last 100m to finish fourth behind the highly-rated Green Pepper.

Similar tactics were tried last time out in a Pinnacle Stakes event at Greyville but she found the promising Amazon King too smart.

She faces a fair field this afternoon and if looking past Isingamoya, one can make out a case for a number of runners.

Just Vogue and Miss Varlicious finished on top of each other when last they met and both have held form. Miss Varlicious has been a victim of her own consistency and although down a further pound in the handicap she may still need more relief to make it back to the winner’s enclosure.

Free State is another course and distance specialist but has not been out since October last year and may be found in need of an outing. Having said that, she has yet to miss the frame. Shezaleader was promoted ahead of Free State when last they met but the former has turned in five modest efforts since although her last showing was an improvement.

In the card opener, Trini’s Var Hyt was the subject of an inspired gamble on debut in one of the first 800m scurries in December, taking on the odds-on favourite Argo Magic. Blinkers and Anton Marcus aboard were the obvious pointers and Kom Naidoo’s filly skated in by over three lengths. Argo Magic franked that form winning comfortably at Greyville next time out and seventh placed Royal Explorer also winning his next outing.

The trio meet again this afternoon and with fillies generally quicker to mature the result could be the same.

Techno Captain is often a difficult customer on the home gallops but Paul Gadsby does rate him and the gelding showed a glimpse of his ability when second behind the well fancied Roman Emperor at Greyville earlier this month. The penny appears to have dropped and if Sean Veale can keep the lid on his mount he can go one better in the second.

Courageous King went off the boil in the early part of this season and was then given a break by Mark Dixon. Two runs back saw a much improved effort and he should be able to carry that improvement through to win in a somewhat desperate field that makes up the first leg of the PA.

Fashion Quest, having her third run after a break and back over what appears to be her optimum trip, strikes as a likely winner of the fourth but the Duncan Howells pair of Roy’s Kaitrina and Hour Glass strike as dangers.

By Andrew Harrison

Ashburton trainer Des Egdes’ step daughter Skye Gilbert is anticipating her fist ever race ride at Scottsville tomorrow aboard the Just As Well filly Just Rap with plenty of excitement.

Skye is based in Newmarket in the UK with the 25 time Gr 1-winning trainer Ed Dunlop and her apprenticeship license was granted at the end of November.

She said about tomorrow’s race, “I worked Just Rap on Saturday and she worked very well, she will be fit and well but it’s a competitive field.”

Skye is limited to riding down the straight for at least her first five rides so feels lucky to be given this opportunity.

Just Rap has run twice over the course and distance and on the second of those occasions finished 5,5 lengths back in a handicap off a 72 merit rating, so she should get closer on paper tomorrow off a 67 merit rating together with Skye’s 4kg claim.

Skye grew up with horses being the daughter of farrier Ford Wallace, who now practices in Cape Town, and showjumper Kim Egdes.

Showjumping and eventing were high on her list of priorities while growing up.

However, racing was where her ultimate ambitions lay.

She worked for her step father Des as a stable employee before departing for the UK four years ago.

She was taught all aspects of racing and horse care by Des and the same thread was picked up in her first eight months in the UK as a stable employee to Newmarket trainer Marco Botti.

She found it exhilarating to be living in racing’s Headquarters and spiritual home, Newmarket, where residents eat and sleep The Sport of Kings.

She later worked for a stud farm before joining Ed Dunlop.

Ed is the son of the 1995 British champion trainer John Dunlop, who won ten British classic races in an illustrious career. John played a pivotal role in the establishment of Middle Eastern influences in British horseracing, training Hatta, Sheikh Mohammed’s first winner as an owner at Brighton in 1977. He was also associated with Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum over a period of three decades.

Ed is immediately associated in world racing circles with the gallant warrior Red Cadeaux, who ran five times in the Melbourne Cup, finishing second three times.

He also trains Trip To Paris, who in 2015 won the Ascot Gold Cup, Britain’s most prestigious event for stayers. He went on to finish fourth in the Melbourne Cup.

Skye works Trip To Paris, among other horses, every day out on the Newmarket heath, which has a vast choice of grass gallops, as well as a polytrack or two.

The jockey qualifying system works differently in the UK to South Africa.

It is up to the trainer to whom the rider is attached to teach them the basics of race riding.

Skye, for example, was able to receive advice not only from Dunlop, but also from the jockeys attached to his yard. She also sought advice from Richard Perham, a former jockey who is now a “Jockey Coach” at the British School of Racing.

She has been able to hone her skills on a equicizer in a gymnasium which is just down the road from Ed’s yard.

It is up to the trainer to recommend youngsters for apprenticeship licenses.

“The trainer must decide whether it is worth taking a chance on a rider making it as a jockey,” explained Skye.

Before applying for the licence the rider should have completed a Level 2 Diploma in Racehorse Care. He or she would also be expected to be confident and competent in galloping a racehorse at speed, riding work on a racehorse and jumping a racehorse out of the starting stalls.

The Apprentice Jockeys licence allows riders aged between 16 and 26 years old, who are in full time paid employment with a UK based Licensed Racehorse Trainer, to ride in flat races against professional jockeys, but with a weight allowance to compensate for their inexperience.

As part of the application, the prospective jockey is required to attend, and satisfactorily complete, a five-day course at either the British Racing School or Northern Racing College. They must also undergo a medical examination.

Apprentice and Conditional jockeys who hold their licence in the UK are entitled to be allocated a qualified Jockey Coach. They receive coaching in all aspects of their careers from technical support to motivation, confidence, fitness and communication skills. The jockeys can continue to receive coaching until they have completed the season in which they ride out their claim. The funding is done through an annual grant from the Horserace Betting Levy Board as well as a contribution of between 3,75% and 7,5% of the jockey’s riding fee.

However, the trainer remains the rider’s guv’nor and Skye had to receive permission from Ed Dunlop to ride out here.

Skye still appreciates her South African roots and her idol is Anton Marcus.

“Anton Marcus is brilliant strategically and knows about his own and every other horse in every race he rides in,” she said. “I aspire to be like him.”

Des and Kim will be cheering for Skye from the course tomorrow and her father Ford will be glued to Tellytrack at 14h45 for the milestone moment.

Skye will be returning to the U.K in about two weeks time in preparation for the British Flat season.

By David Thiselton