David Thiselton

The Justin Snaith-trained Eight On Eighteen enhanced his already glittering CV by adding a career fourth Gr 1 victory on Sunday at Hollywoodbets Greyville and with a magnificent pedigree behind him his stallion value would have reached rare heights.

He won the Gr 1 wfa Champions Cup over 1800m from his stablemate See It Again, ensuring another big race exacta for prolific Durban-based owner Nick Jonsson.

Illness had seen Eight On Eighteen having an interrupted Summer Season and it took him a while to find his feet after fully recovering.

However, Richard Fourie had confirmed he was back to his high class best when putting in a superb gallop at Hollywoodbets Greyville on the day of the Hollywoodbets Durban July Gallops.

The confidence increased as the Champions Cup approached and he shortened right into 2/1 at one stage.

He drifted out to 9/2 on the day as See It Again and The Real Prince were supported starting 28/10 and 5/2 favourite respectively.

However, that did not stop Fourie riding Eight On Eighteen as if he was a good thing.

Fourie sat on him from the off after jumping from draw three in the eight horse field and had him one from last.

However, he did ensure he was one off the rail, because there was no false rail on the day and one had to switch outward at the top of the straight to ensure a clear run.

Fourie got him going early in the straight as the pace set by Dave The King had not been fast and Eight In Eighteen gave a superb burst of speed to soon hit the front.

He lugged inward away from the lights and might have inconvenienced See It Again a bit by carrying him towards eventual third-placed Main Defender.

See It Again was making late inroads to be beaten only 1.05 lengths. Jonsson and Snaith might not have been as happy afterwards if their sole horse in the race had been See It Again, although Fourie was probably correct in saying Eight and Eighteen had put the race to bed by the time of that incident anyway.

The stipes report said the incident had been caused by Eight On Eighteen rolling in at the same time as Legal Counsel had rolled out and brushed Main Defender, causing the latter to be pushed outward.

Nevertheless, See It Again, who did not have to break stride at all, rallied superbly. He did enough to be a certainty for the Equus Horse Of The Year award, which was won by Eight On Eighteen last year.

It will be the third time Jonsson has won the Equus Horse Of The Year award, having also won it with Do It Again in 2018/2019.

However, the Snaiths have now won it seven times with Legislate in 2013/2014, Futura in 2014/2015, Oh Susanna in 2017/2018, Do It Again in 2018/2019, Captain’s Ransom in 2021/2022, Eight On Eighteen in 2024/2025 and See It Again looking a shoe-in this year.

Incidentally, many feel Jonsson’s Snaith-trained Jet Dark should have got Horse Of The Year ahead of stablemate Captain’s Ransom in 2021/2022.

Nevertheless, Jonsson will feel like he has the world at the feet with Eight On Eighteen still being an entire and See It Again being a gelding.

See It Again looks to have another season in him, despite the fact he will be seven next term.

Eight In Eighteen is by Lancaster Bomber, who has been proven to be a huge loss, and he is from one of thee best family’s in the stud book. His dam Sempre Libre is not only out of the champion broodmare and iconic matriarch  Mystic Spring, but she is also by the influential champion sire and leading broodmare sire Captain Al.

Eight On Eighteen is part-owned by Johann Rupert, whose wife Gaynor owns the Drakenstein Stud who bred both Eight On Eighteen and See It Again.

Eight In Eighteen is sure to stand at Drakenstein one day.

There has not been any announcement of his retirement though, so he will hopefully be racing again next season, which will be much to the joy of his devoted groom Philip Sengeza.

David Thiselton

The second biggest race in Durban, if not the country, used to be the Gold Cup and Glen Kotzen has now done the career double of two iconic races, albeit 17 years apart with Big City Life having won the July for him in 2009 and the big Vercingetorix gelding Holding Thumbs winning the World Pool Gold Cup on Sunday.

Jockey Chad Little is old enough to recall that great racing era when the 3200m long Gold Cup was huge.

After executing one of the rides of the season he likened winning Sunday’s big World Pool-sponsored race to winning the Hollywoodbets Durban July, even though it has been downgraded in recent years to a Gr 3.

Fittingly, Holding Thumbs was bred by the Oppenheimer family’s Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein stud operation.

The victory falls 68 years after Chad Little’s grandfather Benny Little gave Harry and Bridget Oppenheimer of Mauritzfontein Stud their first July win in 1959 in his first July ride on the homebred Tiger Fish.

The Gold Cup win ensured the Breeders Championship had been regained by Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein, who pulled away on the final big day of the season from this season’s nearest rival Varsfontein Stud to win it by over R2 million.

The sire phenomenon Vercingetorix took his number of stakes wins for the season to 34, which was one more than last season, but despite winning three stakes races on the day with Zeitz, Palace Of Avernia and Holding Thumbs respectively, the Maine Chance Farms-based stallion’s tally of individual stakes winners in a season remained on 21, two short of the SA record he had set last season.

Nevertheless, Vercingetorix has run away with his second Sires Championship, finishing close to R11.5 million clear of the three times Champion Sire Gimmethegreenlight.

For owners Messrs P Bamford, D D MacLean & Gary Player Stud Farm (Pty) Ltd, Mrs J Doyle & Mr L S & Mrs Rayna Govender it was also a huge moment.

Gary Player also part-owned last year’s winner King Pelles and this was his third Gold Cup win in all.

It would have been a race of mixed emotions for Player as King Pelles, who started as hot 13/10 favourite, was pulled out of the race by Lyle Hewitson. Thankfully, the horse was okay, although he did have to be subject to ongoing veterinarian checks.

Last Tuesday at Summerveld Glen Kotzen had ended an interview by saying,  “I don’t think Hollywoodbets Greyville suits Holding Thumbs, but we’ve got a plan.

It was easy to work out that with no obvious pace in the race and Holding Thumbs being a big galloping type the plan would be to go to the front.

Kotzen had also said in the interview that the Champions Season hadn’t been great for Holding Thumbs, “but I think we have now turned him for the Gold Cup.”

It was revealed after the race on Sunday they had made some changes to his work program and in particular he was given more short, sharp work as opposed to long work.

Kotzen said it could be seen when Holding Thumbs walked into the ring that the new program had made all the difference.

Kotzen said about Chad Little’s ride, “Chad is a top jockey, he just needs confidence. This win is going to give him that confidence.”

Holding Thumbs jumped from draw 13 of 13, which at least allowed him a clear passage to the front.

The big bay pinged the gates and was far enough clear when reaching the turn to slot in front of Shoot The Rapids.

Little had got his trigonometry just about perfect with Holding Thumbs having gone on virtually a straight line from starting stall to the inside at the end of the first straight.

That ensured he would have expended as little energy as possible in the first 450m and it also meant he had the rail for the rest of the journey i.e. the shortest way home.

That was the first prerequisite for a perfect ride ticked off.

He then ensured no more than a steady pace from then onward.

King Pelles was in midfield sitting in a one wide position with cover when he suddenly came off the bit and began backpedalling as they approached the 1000m mark. Hewitson had no option but to ease him out of the race. He had run a fantastic third in the Hollywoodbets Durban July, but it had been tough race for him and the Gold Cup might have proved a bridge too far.

Meanwhile, the second favourite Ahead Of The Facts was travelling well, but his supporters’ concerns were  mounting, because he was closer to the back than the front in a relatively slow run race.

Richard Fourie had the room to switch Ahead Of The Facts out at the 800m mark and he began inching closer as they came up the hill.

The exceptional turn of foot Ahead Of The Facts had displayed in his Gr 3 Durban Gold Vase victory over 3000m was evident in the straight as he had soon mastered the chasing vanguard.

However, Little had fulfilled more criteria for a perfect ride by giving his horse some rein as they approached the straight and then by kicking away at the top of the straight.

This was a vital move aboard a resolute galloping type and he had soon opened up a four length gap

It was apparent the long-striding horse was going to be hard to haul in.

Little showed perfect timing in drawing the stick as late as the 250m mark.

He later executed a deft change of whip hand which saw Holding Thumbs changing legs and finding another gear.

He pulled off another whip hand change when Holding Thumbs hung in on to the rail.

However, he can only be given 99% for the ride because in his understandable excitement he stood up and saluted  a stride or two before the line.

Ahead Of The Facts stayed on well for a two length second, leaving Justin Snaith still chasing a first Gold Cup.

The Robbie and Shanon Hill-trained filly Jazz Cafe enjoyed a third successive step up in trip and stayed on well for a 2,90 length third.

Please note: South African Quartet Pools with fractional betting offered at Southwell and Windsor (UK) – 27 July 2026.

Andrew Harrison

Eight On Eighteen, off the boil for much of the season, was back with a bang as he put a high-class field to bed in the Gr1 HKJC Champions Cup at a packed Hollywoodbets Greyville yesterday.

It was a masterful training feat by Justin Snaith who although having earmarked this race a long way out for last season’s three-year-old champion, was still on tenterhooks after a below par performance in the Gr1 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge.

However, his horses turned just before the Hollywoodbets Durban July with Note To Self winning and Eight On Eighteen also turning the corner.

There was some drama at the start as See It Again, who does not seem to favour Hollywoodbets Greyville, gave the starter’s assistants a hard time at loading but once in, he jumped with relish.

Former winner Dave The King was quickly out to make the running ahead of Legal Counsel with all the fancied runners handily placed.

Crossing the subway there were plenty in with chances, but Snaith’s runners went wide for a clear run at the wire. Eight On Eighteen, back to his best, quickened up past them all in commanding fashion chased by stable companion See It Again with the balance scrapping for the shallow end of the purse. Both winner and runner-up carried Nick Jonsson’s silks.

Post race Richard Fourie said he was always confident of the colt’s chances. “July morning, post-race the gallops he was there. I galloped Note To Self and I said I’ll win the July and when I came back I said to the whole Snaith team and everyone that was there you will need a crowbar to get me off this horse.

“He’s back and it felt like goosebump stuff. In the race today the gates opened so relaxed, got a little bit worried before we straightened up but I just tightened the bit in his mouth and he was ready and waiting. He quickened past them really really well and he saw the lights and carried on like he’s a youngster. He put them to bed with a phenomenal turn of foot.”

As good as the season’s been this is a race that you always want to win and to win it with a colt that has a pedigree to die for.”

“It was when Note To Self turned around. We figured out where that downfall was in the Daily News where we lost and the Gold Challenge which was an absolute disaster. When Note To Self started coming back to himself and I saw him run well I knew that I was on the right road. I knew; boys watch out they are going to come in strong.”

It took Louis Goosen 35 years to win his first Gr1 but he was always confident that his gelding Erik Dubois had it in him. In a tight battle to the line, Erik Dubois finally got the better of Kazenoyoni  in the Gr1 World Pool Moment of the Day Champion Stakes with former champion jockey Lyle Hewitson celebrating in his first meeting back from Hong Kong on home soil.

Kazenoyoni was always up with the pace set by Vibe Check who was pressed hard from his outside draw to make the pace. His early exertions  saw him run out of puff crossing the subway with Kazenoyoni fighting off challenges with Hewitson getting a dream split through the middle of the chasing pack joining battle with Kazenoyoni, slowly grinding down his rival with the balance of the field well beaten.

“There was a lot of confidence from everyone associated with this horse and I probably needed a little more confidence put into me but when I worked him on the day he filled me with a bit of believe and he obviously showed it today,” said Hewitson. “He’s a lovely horse and I still don’t know what his distance is. He could get faster and stronger and come back in trip but he showed resilience today and it was a good win.”

Goosen, unusually almost lot for words commented, “We aimed at this race which is the beautiful part. It’s fantastic to be here on a day like this. We don’t get many chances but we got one today.

“When he got off the float I said this horse has tightened up. He’s been soft and I’ve never got to the bottom of him. Everything was to peak and today was the day.”

Buffalo Storm Cody defended his Gr1 Mercury Sprint crown in emphatic fashion to confirm his status as the highest rated horse in the country. It was his second Gr1 victory of the season after winning the Gr1 Computaform Sprint and Gavin Lerena made full use of his favourable draw sitting in the box seat in the early exchanges as O’Tenikwa took a hold of the bit and barreled off at a solid gallop. Market rival Questioning had it all to do as he pushed forward from his wide gate which told when it came to the sharp end of the race.

Buffalo Storm Cody took over early in the straight chased home by recent Gr3 Post Merchants winner Jet Force but the win was never in doubt. The mare Asiye Phambili kicked on late for third to pip Questioning in what was possibly her final race of a distinguished career.

“We obviously had a better gate today,” said Lerena when questioned about last year. “He quite enjoyed it up front last year and won a phenomenal race. Today we took a sit in behind O’Tenikwa, he was quicker than me, but Buffalo has a good mind. What every you want him to do he adapts to it and he switched off beautifully. He was always full of run coming into the straight. A great training feat by Tony and uncle Paul Peter, they had the horse really well again.”

“You know what. The champions train themselves” said Tony Peter. “He is a really, really proper smart horse. He is very easy to train. He’s got one quirk about him is that he doesn’t like the lights and that found him out the last two years on July day.”

King Pelles was his nemesis last season, but Holding Thumbs made all to go one better in the Gr3 World Pool Gold Cup for Glen Kotzen and Chad Little. King Pelles was favourite to go back-to-back but was unfortunately eased out of the race at the 1200m mark by Hewitson but was reported to be in good order after the race.

Little dictated a pedestrian pace from the jump and was never challenged as he skipped clear at the top of the straight and was not for the catching with Ahead Of The Facts and rank outsider Jazz Café making late inroads.

Kotzen was frank in his assessment. “He doesn’t really like this track and the decision was to take him to the front and do his own fractions. I think Chad did the most amazing job, he never went too fast and at the same time kept them honest. He’s a proper galloper and I think the plan is to take him to the Summer Cup and take on the Jo’Burg boys.”

 The plan, said Little, “was to make them burn a little bit and he got there and pricked his ears and it was never in doubt. Today he won a very good race. Well done Glen, he got him right.”

Serino Moodley brought up his century of wins for the season in fine fashion as he punched the grey Zeitz through a tight gap on the inside of a charging field and get up on the line in the Listed Tote Stakes. Major Master finished with a rattle but just not able to peg back Zeitz with Go Grayson Go always handy in third. It was a courageous effort from the winner as Green Gateway shifted in, squeezing Zeitz onto Field Marshal but once clear he quickened up for the victory.

Craig Zackey confirmed his place at the top of the Jockey Championship with a comfortable victory on the odds-on favourite Palace Of Arvernia in the Gr2 World Pool with Race Coast Debutante Stakes. Dean Kannemeyer has played a large role in Zackey’s ascendance so it was a fitting victory. Lyle Hewitson, second ride back from Hong Kong, looked to have caught all napping, making the pace on Perfect Sky and skipping clear but Palace Of Arvernia always had her in her sights and when asked for maximum she quickened up well to win with authority.

French rider Mickaelle Michel may have missed out on the ride on Hollywoodbets Durban July ante-post favourite Star Major after the horse was scratched but she and James Crawford have teamed up well and Crawford gave her a fitting send off back to France when 20-1 chance Fish Tales caused a boil-over in the Gr2 World Pool Bet With the Tote Stakes. It was never going to be an easy race with 14 in the line-up and Fish Tales drawn 12. However, Michel benefitted from a searching pace set by US Ranger keeping all honest and she managed to navigate a place two off the rail behind the well-backed Benny And Paul. She then drifted Fish Tails out off the false rail for a clear passage and ran them all down with Bisou Bisou staying on for second just ahead of World Series who was caught three wide all the way home.

US Ranger didn’t do the Fairview form any favours finishing closer to last than first in the earlier race but there was plenty of market support for fellow Fairview raider Marchland in the Gr2 Douglas Whyte Stakes in the face of hot favourite Alice B Toklas. Those that kept faith were rewarded as Muzi Yeni slipped Marchland up the inside rail to win as she liked to keep her unbeaten record in tact and put her name in the hat for and Equus Award. Hewitson set another blistering pace on Doesyourmotherknow and she stayed on for second ahead of Royal Tiara with Alice B Toklas battling home to a rather lackluster fourth.

Mocha Blend put her somewhat disappointing Hollywoodbets Durban July run behind her as she round off her season with a comfortable victory in the Gr2 Bet With The World Gold Bracelet. In a race run at no great pace, Frank Robinson’s filly quickened past them all with Kisshoten staying on for second ahead of Rahhabba.

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In exciting news for the South African horseracing industry it has been announced the UK have opened a direct equine export route from South Africa, which cements two-way trade for the SA Equine Industry.

SA Equine Health & Protocols NPC (SAEHP) sent out the following press release:

UK Opens Direct Equine Export Route from South Africa, Cementing Two-Way Trade for SA Equine Industry

Cape Town, 15 July 2026 — SA Equine Health & Protocols NPC (SAEHP) is pleased to announce that the British Government has confirmed a decision permitting direct import of live horses from South Africa to Great Britain. Following a positive assessment of South Africa’s disease control measures, imports will be permitted from the approved vector-protected quarantine station in Cape Town, for registered equines complying with UK import conditions.

This milestone reflects sustained collaboration between SAEHP, the South African Department of Agriculture, and the Western Cape Department of Agriculture — a powerful demonstration of this public-private partnership’s success in maintaining South Africa’s equine disease control measures to the highest international standard and translating that credibility into real market access.

The announcement follows closely on South Africa’s opening of imports from Dubai, New Zealand, and Australia earlier this year -making genuine two-way trade a reality for the South African equine industry.

Adrian Todd, Managing Director of SAEHP, thanked the Hong Kong Jockey Club for its funding, technical support, and vision in opening South Africa to the world, noting that the growing number of trade partners now opens a world of opportunity for South Africa across all equestrian disciplines.

About SAEHP:SA Equine Health & Protocols NPC is a South African public-private partnership established to ensure the sustainability and security of the African Horse Sickness control zones through risk mitigation measures and controls, operating under the authority of the South African National Director of Animal Health in partnership with the National Department of Agriculture and the Western Cape Department of Agriculture.