A collection of opinions and thoughts on all aspects of horse racing from around the world.
The news that Bloodstock SA and Cape Thoroughbred Sales may be kissing and making up can only bode well for our horseracing. While talks are at an early stage, the word is out that progress is being made
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
Punters paid the tote takeout commission when the rain stopped racing at Durbanville on 15 August. How fair is this state of affairs and why don’t Saftote come out and explain their attitude?
The subjective nature of the task facing the Equus Awards selection panel is bound to lead to criticism and differing opinion. All we ask for is a credible and professional approach by those tasked with the responsibility.
Young apprentice Craig Zackey rode his first winner at Clairwood on 12 August. But it was the dismal failure of the 1-6 favourite Dash And Excel, who tested punter’s sense of humour with a shocking run in the Pick 6 opener
Variety Club was named the 2012 Horse of the Year at the annual glittering Equus Award banquet
Legendary former jockey Garth Puller made training horses look easy with a double at Clairwood this afternoon, on his first day for his own account
Anton Marcus and Gavin Lerena flew into Cape Town and left with two winners each after the Kenilworth meeting on 25 July.The loyal locals were left fighting over the scraps again. It sure has been a tough winter down south!
The anomaly of incorporating Zimbabwe winners in the SA Jockey Championship stats detracts from the title race. Where on earth would another country’s winners be incorporated in a championship?
The R3 million Gr1 Vodacom Durban July is a special horserace and wonderful social occasion no matter who you are and where you find yourself at 16h20 on Saturday 7 July.
Joey Ramsden shone for the Joostes and produced the favourable early results. As the sun lowered in the sky, the favourites dipped and Carl Burger showed his penchant for the inside draw as the bombs dropped in the late afternoon at Kenilworth on 16 June.
Just 48 hours after Cheeky Wink’s smart win at Tipperary, the Kieswetter and Heffer families enjoyed another champagne moment at Sandown
The number of entries compares favourably in quantum with recent years, with 58 first entries received in 2024, 60 in 2023, 68 in 2022, 53 in 2021, 52 in 2020, 49 in 2019, and 69 in 2018
Ironically, it was a colt which provided Alan with a first Gr1 success, this being Alec and Gillian Foster’s homebred Cereus, who landed the 2001 Gold Cup at Hollywoodbets Greyville, his victory completing a momentous double on the day, with the Gr2 Golden Slipper having gone the way of juvenile filly Tatler, a great-great-great grandaughter of Sun Lass!
JP van der Merwe is not the only guilty party in the matter. In simple terms, he is the only rider to have exercised the NHA’s offer of an Acknowledgement Of Guilt and moved on with his life
