The year in review
We’ve got to the end of another revolution around the sun. They say the unexamined life is not worth living and life’s rear view mirror occasionally shows up details that weren’t obvious at first glance, so before we launch headlong into 2016, I thought it would be fun to look back at the year that was. Of course, not everything that counts can be counted, and not everything that can be counted, counts. However, the goal is to turn data into information and information into insight, so here goes.
January
Futura (credit: hamishNIVENPhotography)
An awkward NHA AGM, led by ousted Chairman Altus Joubert, revealed the cataclysmic rift between the operators and the regulator. The vote for a new Chairman was deferred after Rian du Plessis walked out, leaving no voting quorum. Pine Princess nearly missed the Paddock Stakes thanks to the State Vet. In the event, the laurels went to Inara, giving Grant van Niekerk his first Gr1 – Pine Princess finished 4th. However, LQP day belonged to Brett Crawford, when Futura romped home under Bernard Fayd’herbe, deputising for injured Glen Hatt. Futura made it a big race double, also winning the J&B Met. Glen Hatt announced his retirement. Sharon Patterson was shot outside her Randjes base, escaping with a broken arm. The 2015 Cape Premier Sale saw a new sales record when Maine Chance’s Dynasty colt was knocked down for R5.2 million. A few days later, Markus Jooste’s R4,5 million CTS buy, Brutal Force won the R1 million Sales race. Mike de Kock chalked his 100th Gr1 win in the Cape Flying Championship and Mauritzfontein lost champion sire Fort Wood.
February
Siren’s Call collects in the CTS Sales Race
Igugu safely produced her first foal – a filly by Dansili. The abuse of cobalt came under the spotlight in Australia. Shared Belief beat California Chrome comprehensively in the San Antonio Stakes and 19-time Champion jump jockey Tony McCoy announced his retirement. Peter de Beyer’s homebred Siren’s Call purposely avoided the Cape classics in favour of chasing the CTS Sales cheque and duly won the R2,5 million Book 2 Sales Race. However, she proved herself a classy sort winning the first leg of the Triple Tiara. Smanjemanje, who finished 2nd by a whisker in the 2012 Durban July, was sent out for a non-black type R100k feature over 1400m at Flamingo Park. He finished 8th, 16.25 lengths off. Yogas Govender left Plattner Racing to strike out on his own. Computaform moved to a ‘new look’ format, much to punters’ dismay. SA Champion Horse Chestnut died aged 19.
March
Vercingetorix retires to stud
While Mubtaahij won the Al Bastakiya, SA runners drew a blank on Super Saturday, with Vercingetorix doing a suspensory in the Jebel Hatta and retiring to Maine Chance Farms’ stallion roster. Having installed Ken Truter as WC representative on the NHA Board, cricket man Andy O’Connor was announced NHA Chairman. Dave Mollett resumed presenting duties after his knee replacement and in a shock move, Futura moved to Snaith Racing. Turffontein’s Classic Day saw an on-form Sean Tarry taking the Jacaranda handicap, Man O’War sprint, the colts’ Classic and a beautifully judged ride by Striker clinched the second leg of the Triple Tiara for Siren’s Call. On World Cup Night, Mike de Kock won the UAE Derby with Mubtaahij. The Dubai World Cup was won by Prince Bishop, with US challenger, California Chrome second. The Bookmaker / Tellytrack saga continued with KZN Bookmakers lodging complaints with ICASA and the Competition Commission. Buller Benton passed away after a short struggle with cancer.
April
2015 NYS Lot 221 Savannah Cat (Fort Wood – Kapen Cat)
The first July entries were announced and Gold Circle widened the track to accommodate 18 runners. CTS hosted its inaugural Select Sale at Emperors Palace on 18 April, 4 days ahead of the BSA National Sale. The NYS saw a new SA record price for a filly, when Mike Rattray went to R4,75 million for Lammerskraal’s lot 221, Savannah Cat. Triple Tiara aspirations went up in smoke on Champions Day as Sirens’ Call finished the narrowest of margins 2nd to Pine Princess after throwing a shoe on her way to the start. Wylie Hall was vindicated in the President’s Champions Challenge and Sean Tarry took the SA Derby with Legal Eagle. The breeding industry saw the loss of Lowell Price and Leigh Southey.
May
Captain Of All
The opening day of the KZN season proved eventful when an ANC meeting hosted at the track resulted in toyi-toyi-ing, forcing patrons to leave by a side gate. CTS fired another shot across the bows, scheduling a new 2yo sale on 7 August. Futura won on his Snaith debut, in a pinnacle plate at Greyville. Tsogo Sun sprint weekend delivered a Gr1 double for ‘Uncle Den’ with Seventh Plain in the Gold Medallion and Captain Of All in the Tsogo Sun Sprint. Entisaar won the Allan Robertson and Carry On Alice the City of Pietermaritzburg Fillies Sprint. Trouble brewed at the Vaal with persistent rumblings about the sand track. Operators announced a 1% stakes deduction to go towards grooms. Denzil Pillay resigned as NHA CEO with Colin Hall performing CE duties in the interim. The NHA published minutes of their 2015 AGM 6 months early! Louis The King fractured a sesamoid and retired from racing. Mike de Kock saddled Mubtaahij in the Kentucky Derby, which was won by American Pharoah.
June
Stan Elley announces retirement
Frankie Dettori won the Epsom Derby on Golden Horn and American Pharoah made Triple Crown dreams come true in the Belmont, while SA fans shouted Mubtaahij home for 4th. Legislate won the ‘Duel of the Dynasty’s’ in the Rising Sun Gold Challenge. Ronnie Sheehan’s Captain Chaos won the Cape Nursery, Lucinda Woodruff saddled her first winner at Kenilworth and Wylie Hall retired to take up stud duties at Cheveley Stud. The NHA announced fee increases, including a foal registration fee hike to R1 700. Stan Elley announced his retirement from racing at the end of the season. Dolf Maeder, Mike McLachlan and Deon Visser also step down. Kevin Shea announced retirement from riding and the industry was shocked when Paul Lafferty was diagnosed with cancer. Retired jockey Gerrit Basson passed away of a heart attack and Newmarket GM, Jeff Moffett died of lung failure at the end of June.
July
Craig Peters called his 30th July
Craig Peters called his 30th July. Maine Chance entered into breeding legend, producing the first 3 past the post, but there was controversy as Power King clinched victory on objection over Punta Arenas. Punta owner Butch Watson-Smith passed away a few days later. Captain Of All bowed out on a high in the Mercury Sprint and retired to stud at Klawervlei. Sean Cormack was injured at Greyville on fallen runner, Zacharias. Drakenstein Stud acquired Kingsbarns, a Gr1 winning son of Galileo. Robin Bruss resigned from the NHA. The announcement of two new sales races worth R1 million each was not enough to rally support and BSA cancelled their 2015 R2R sale. Adverse weather forced the postponement of the Gold Cup “Super Saturday” meeting to 1 August, causing the racing programme to be reshuffled across the country. Pat Shaw won a 2nd Singapore Derby with Quechua and SAP became the new sponsor of the Emerald Cup. Patrick Davis resigned and Phum announced the end of the Vaal sand. Corne Spies was named Zimbabwean Champion Trainer, Ascot Stud lost sire Sail From Seattle and Kimberley trainer Vernon Rugg lost his battle with cancer.
August
Mike Bass with Pocket Power
The carding of Magical Trip at Scottsville on caused an ownership dispute. The NHA ruled in favour of new owner, E Hughes and the filly finished 4th under Anthony Delpech. The RA decree to calculate Cape awards by the national, rather than regional log courted controversy. Mike Bass fell seriously ill. CTS held their inaugural 2yo Cape sale at Durbanville with the sales topper reaching R260k. BSA’s National 2yo Sale sales topper went for R1,1 million. The Equus Awards saw Futura crowned Horse of the Year, Sean Tarry Champion Trainer, Gavin Lerena Champion Jockey, Markus & Ingrid Jooste champion owners and Klawervlei Champion Breeders. BSA’s R360 microchip levy drew heavy criticism and was retracted swiftly. Clyde Basel replaced Patrick Davis as Racing Executive. The President’s Champions Challenge purse was raised to R4 million and the Charity Mile to R1 million. The RA announced all Phum trainers’ stakes / acceptance fees are to be paid to Kenilworth Racing, discounts for early payments were withdrawn and arrears over 60 days will have noms suspended. ‘S’manga-gate’ was finally settled with a R75k fine. An NHA investigation into Sean Tarry’s role in the matter was branded a ‘witch hunt’ by Robert Bloomberg. Furore erupted over Piere Strydom’s ride on Dublin Rebel at Turffontein, resulting in an NHA enquiry.
September
Rhona Beck – end of an era
One could be forgiven for thinking it was April when the first of the month saw racing delayed at Kenilworth due to a broken axle on a bank of starting stalls. With only one bank of 8 stalls available for the remainder of the day, racing continued using the NRB elimination procedure. Despite a public apology for the Dublin Rebel ride, Striker received a 90 day suspension, which he subsequently appealed. Tarry was cleared of wrong doing in ‘Smanga-gate’, earning a call from Robert Bloomberg for the NHA to get its house in order. Unbelievable Chad won his maiden at the second time of asking for Olympic swimmer, Chad le Clos. Deputy Jud won the SAP Supreme Cup. Duke of Marmalade’s daughter, Simple Verse, won Doncaster’s St Leger. Demoted to 2nd after an enquiry, she was later reinstated. Plattner Racing appointed Andre Nel as new trainer and Karl Neisius was booked off for 6 weeks with a back injury. Kenilworth Racing’s letter urging trainers to fill fields saw the reinstatement of draws after acceptances as well as changes to the scratchings period. July winning trainer Brian Cherry died after suffering a stroke and Rhona Beck passed away
October
RIP Gift Funeka
The GGB turned down Phum’s license amendment application. Brian Finch was appointed to the Phum board. CTS’ Inanda Ready To Run Sale saw serious money paid for imports with a joint top price of R2 million for the sales topping colt and filly. The Vaal hosted its last sand meeting on 29 October. Piere Strydom and Lyle Anderson faced a civil claim over the Dublin Rebel debacle, but the case was dismissed. Pointed questions from owner Steve Reid elicited some response from the RA, who said they were ‘keen to engage’ – in private. NHA confirmed a total of 18 lab positives prohibited substances this year. The R2.5 mil CTS Ready To Run Cup was won by Champagne Haze and Andrew Fortune was fined R5k for using the F-word in his post race interview. Senior jockey, Gerrit Schlechter was sidelined due to injury and Gift Funeka, the first black jockey to ride in the July – passed away.
November
Karl Neisius retires (pic: hamishNIVENPhotography)
Phum’s High Court application to set aside the GGB’s October interim order was dismissed with costs. The NHA shortened the epistaxis suspension period from 90 to 60 days for a trial period of 1 year. Gary Player turned 80. Hassen Adams delivered a presentation on ‘potential upgrades’ to Kenilworth racing, including polytrack at Durbanville. The SA jockey international caused a storm – again. Pat Shaw won a 3rd Singapore Gold Cup with Cooptado. The Green Point Stakes was relegated from a WFA to a conditions contest, with all Gr2 and lesser features standardised across all racing jurisdictions. CTS launched its ‘day of dreams’, moving the Investec Derby to 23 January to sit alongside their million dollar race. CTS announced a new mare sale to be held at Highlands on 10 June 2016. Geoff Woodruff had another Summer Cup triumph, saddling the first two past the post. Karl Neisius announced his retirement and Muzi Yeni celebrated his 1000th career winner.
December
The filly who kept us hoping – Silver Mountain (photo: hamishNIVENPhotography)
Phum granted leave to appeal the High Court’s 6 November decision. The DA waded in on the KZN Gaming and Betting Amendment Bill. Gold Circle appointed a new Chairperson, Dr Phumla Mnganga. The RA held their AGM, although there have been no news or reports of what happened. The NHA published rule changes, along with notices of its 2016 AGM and SGM, proposing sweeping Constitutional changes. Strydom’s appeal succeeded and his suspension was reduced to 25 days. Jarred Samuel’s fall at Greyville on 4 December sparked controversy about race day safety procedures. Silver Mountain won the Cape Fillies Guineas by 5 lengths, but fell just short of Noah From Goa in the colts’ race. Candice Robinson announced that she is taking over the reins at Mike Bass Racing. Gavin Lerena won the Hong Kong’s Longines International Jockey Challenge. Cold As Ice won on her second UK outing at Chelmsford. PE trainer Mitch Wiese gave up training, as did Dominic Zaki. Phumelela and Arena Racing Company concluded a landmark deal, ensuring SA racing will be broadcast to the UK and Ireland until the end of 2022. Phumelela acquired a 50% interest in Supabets. Cartier announced sponsorship for 2016 Queen’s Plate, Trevor Denman announced his retirement, Greg Cheyne was injured at Kenilworth, breaking his foot in 3 places and Anne Upton turned 80.
As we turn the final page on 2015 and prepare to start the process again on Friday, may I wish you all a very happy, prosperous and above all, interesting 2016.
