Sands Of Time

A look back in time at horse racing in South Africa. We provide a historical account of events that shaped the industry in South Africa. Useful, informative and unique content not previously available on the internet.

20 Years Ago: Sands of Time – October 1991

The Cape Tote attempts to defy South Africa’s strict gambling laws, by offering odds on the World Cup rugby final. After local police threatens to arrest Tote staff, because of complaints received, the Tote unceremonially drops its sports betting options.
Averof dies in the middle of the covering season. He’s the sire of champion sire Foveros, and …

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Felix Coetzee

20 Years Ago: Sands Of Time – August 1991

Parisian Affair, in foal to Foveros, fetches top price of R400.000 at the Highdown dispersal sale. The buyer is Norman Tilley. Sixty six lots at the sale average R41.000.
Cynics would say “I could have told you that”, when the odds-on favourite gets run over in the bookmaker sponsored Pip James Stakes (WFA).

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20 Years Ago: Sands Of Time – July 1991

June 30 – July 6: Pick Six betting hits a new high when Natal punters push the gross pool at Scottsville to a record R2.3 million. Later that week Mighty Crystal and Fast Gun fight out the finish in the Administrator’s Champion Futurity over a mile at Greyville. The outcome of the race is greatly influenced by

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20 Years Ago: Sands of Time – June 1991

June 2 – 8: Interviewed before the Epsom Derby, an unusually confident Michael Roberts bites the dust on Mystiko in the race itself. The grey 2000 Guineas winner is in the lead for about 1800m, simply cantering, then goes out like a light for lack of staying power. The important Derby victory goes to

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1993 Gr1 Rothmans July Dancing Duel

20 Years Ago: Sands Of Time – March 1991

Jockey Sutherland weighs in underweight when riding Topica at the Vaal, and gets suspended for three weeks (in May this sentence will on appeal be altered to a fine).
The TAB operations in the Transvaal and Free State are rationalised, and Free State management is taken over by the Transvaal as of this month.

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