10th January 2011
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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.
History, tradition and achievement. The l’Ormarins Queen’s Plate is the benchmark and pinnacle of excellence in South African thoroughbred horseracing. Whether seen through the nostalgic recollections of the wife of the late legend of the saddle, Johnny Cawcutt, or in the passionate and extremely educated reminisces of our leading racing and breeding expert, Charles Faull, it is truly a great race in all senses of the word. Beyond great wine and the magic of good music, I cannot think of anything that captures the soul and imagination more than real people and their brilliant horses.
OK, you all know I’m a bit excited about this year’s l’Ormarins Queen’s Plate. With the 150th running of the race coinciding with undisputed jewel in our racing crown attempting his 5th successive Queen’s Plate victory, there is a little more to get excited about than usual and I have spent some time trying to get a closer look at some of this year’s runners.
For many of us, those New Year’s resolutions we made so sincerely will be forgotten before the tinsel come down. Perhaps that’s because most resolutions—tidying the garage, saving a little more rigorously, or resolving to lose some weight—primarily benefit ourselves. We are always told that giving is better than receiving and I must admit that it’s something I have only really come to appreciate as I’ve got older – whether it’s an unexpected gift under the tree, or simply making a cup of coffee or taking out the rubbish without being asked. However, it is always most rewarding when we help those who are most in need.
The Chinese Zodiac lists 2010 as the year of the golden tiger. It will also go down in history as the year that South African horseracing was sadly horribly mauled in the public domain and virtually bled to death. I surfed the racing forums in a bid to find the positives and good amidst the embarassing morass of negativity. Thank goodness for our great horses, trainers, owners and jockeys. Their brilliance overshadows the politics and badly behaved hangers-on, even on a bad day. Cold comfort then if you are off-side. 2011 is, after all, the year of the rabbit.
Peter Pan: There oughta be a fairy for every girl and boy.
Wendy: Oughta be? Isn’t there?
Peter Pan: Oh, no. Children know such a lot now. Soon they don’t believe. And every time a child says “I don’t believe in fairies”, there’s a fairy someplace that falls down dead.
When South Africa’s singularly most influential racehorse owner asks in the post-race interview where the crowds are and what the marketers are doing about it, then maybe we really are entering the twilight zone. I seriously doubt that we have too many Hassen Adams’ or even , Markus Joostes, Marsh Shirtliffs and Raymond Deacons sitting in the shadows on the reserve bench, with cheque book in hand, eagerly waiting to buy that next equine dream.
A ticker tape parade through the streets of Melbourne and Sydney would be first prize, but JJ The Jet Plane, Lucky Houdalakis and Piere Strydom have justly earned the Freedom Of the Cities, of at the very least, Cape Town and Johannesburg and a place in our non-existent Hall Of Fame. Beating the best sprinters against all odds is one thing – but how many more times are our stars going to have to master the monster called Export Protocols before they beat the opposition?
The South African bred former Equus Champion Sprinter Isivunguvungu made a terrific winning debut on US soil for trainer Graham Motion and confirmed his Prevagen $1million Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint aspirations
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
