Here And Elsewhere
SARAH WHITELAW: Former top SA racemares are represented on the Keeneland September Sale; Main Aim moves to the Karoo and America’s Best!
Sporting Post columnists share their opinions and insights into horse racing from South Africa and around the world. They are experts who have a deep understanding of the sport of kings, enjoy their thoughtful and fresh articles.
SARAH WHITELAW: Former top SA racemares are represented on the Keeneland September Sale; Main Aim moves to the Karoo and America’s Best!
LANCE BENSON: It was quite out of the ordinary to have a Vaal Sand meeting on a Saturday, but well done to Phumelela for putting on an entertaining programme as a build-up to Africa’s richest race on sand, the Gr2 Emerald Cup.
ROBYN LOUW: Frankel is more than simply a racing phenomenon, he is a star. People are drawn to excellence and with his story of action, drama, pathos, royalty (!), friendship, loyalty and sheer brilliance, Frankel is a best-seller in anyone’s language.
SARAH WHITELAW: Frankel, whose value is said to be as high as 100 million pounds, is likely to retire after just one more start.
LANCE BENSON: The talk of a proposal recently by the National Horseracing Authority to outlaw sponsorship of trainers by betting operators is surely a shortsighted view of the bigger picture?
ROBYN LOUW: I’m coming to the end of my time smack in the middle of the Olympics, has made for an interesting trip. No matter where you went, there has been a uniform enthusiasm for all things Olympic and with an unprecedented medal haul, a massive surge in national pride.
SARAH WHITELAW: The South African 2012-2013 racing season will see a number of well bred and well performed stallions represented by their first local runners. Here is a look at some of these young sires:
It is the accepted norm that trainers utilise races to get their horses to scratch fitness – but should they come to races unable to run remotely to their rated ability? It just doesn’t seem fair to punters
ROBYN LOUW: Racing, as with any other endeavor, includes a mix of people with a mix of motivations.
LANCE BENSON: Do you, the man-in-the-street even know what Equus are or who they are? Do you care?
As usual, the Equus Awards provided some controversy over some of the awards given out last Wednesday.
Igugu is definitely a great racemare and fully deserving of the title “champion”. But did she do enough during the season
The evergreen hero travelled to Vereeniging on Thursday for a 100% strike rate from two rides that saw him bring up his recordbreaking 5555th winner milestone
‘The Breeders Cup Distaff is definitely still on the cards and Beach Bomb will probably have one more race before then’ – Gaynor Rupert
It will be good news for South African racing fans that, despite a number of offers from abroad, Gerald and Karen Kalil’s multiple champion Quid Pro Quo will continue her 3yo season on African soil
The son of Twice Over has been gelded and will be aimed at the Betway Gr1 Summer Cup, the L’Ormarins King’s Plate and the WSB Cape Town Met