Africa’s Greatest Horseracing Event the Vodacom Durban July, traditionally run at Greyville on the first Saturday in July, is now worth R4,25 million, an increase of R750 000 over the prior year.  Further to the announcement of the increased stake, Gold Circle also confirmed that Vodacom Has extended its sponsorship of the Vodacom Durban July for an additional three years.

First entries closed on Wednesday, 13 April 2016, and the 65 nominations were unveiled at the launch of South Africa’s Champion Season 2016 held at Greyville Racecourse.

At the top of the list was the country’s highest rated horse, Legal Eagle. Sean Tarry’s champion won the Gr1 SA Derby last season and has already won two of the three legs of the unofficial WFA “mile” championship in the Gr1 L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate and the Gr1 HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes. He is current favourite for the Gr1 Premier’s Champion Challenge to be run at Turffontein on Derby Day at the end of this month.

Tarry, well on track for his second National Trainer’s Championship, has nominated nine other runners. French Navy, arguably unlucky last year, is likely to be back for another crack and is the third highest rated runner on the list. Victory would also make it a treble for Tarry and owner Chris van Niekerk, the pair having won successive Julys with Pomodoro and Heavy Metal in 2012 and 2013 respectively.

Also nominated is the country leading three-year-old Abashiri who on Derby Day will be attempting to round off his bid for the Triple Crown with victory in the Gr1 SA Derby. Michael Azzie’s smart colt has already garnered the first two legs, the Gr2 Gauteng Guineas and Gr1 SA Classic for owners Adriaan and Rika van Vuuren.

Mike Bass, already a three-time winner of the Vodacom Durban July, will be pinning his hopes on Paterfamilias and his trio of smart fillies Inara, Silver Mountain and Nightingale.

Fascinating this year will be the battle of the three-year-old colts leading up to the July. Abashiri aside, Johan Janse van Vuuren has three smart entries in Unparalleled, Brazuca and New Predator but there are a host of colts that for one reason or another have not been fully exposed.

Some in this category include the Duncan Howells pair of Ten Gun Salute, already a Gr3 winner in Open company, and Sylvester The Cat. Howells has also nominated the classy Saratoga Dancer.

Justin Snaith has entered Investec Cape Derby winner It’s My Turn and Baritone, narrowly beaten by one of Dean Kannemeyer’s entries Mambo Mime at Greyville last Friday. Another Snaith entry is Dynamic, a controversial second behind another Kannemeyer July entry Cape Speed at Scottsville last Sunday.

Surprisingly the powerful Mike de Kock yard only has three nominations, Jubilee Line, Persian Rug and the Australian-bred Kinaan.

Important Vodacom Durban July dates to diarise:

• First Declaration: Close 11:00 Monday, 9 May 2016
• First Supp. Entries: Close 11:00 Tuesday, 10 May 2016
• Second Declaration: Close 11:00 Monday, 30 May 2016
• Final Supp. Entries: Close 11:00 Monday, 6 June 2016
• Weights Published: Tuesday, 7 June 2016
• Final Declaration: Close 11:00 Monday, 20 June 2016
• Final Field and Draw: Announcement of the Final Field and Barrier Draws will take place on Tuesday, 21 June 2016
• Public Gallops:  7am at Greyville Racecourse, Thursday, 23 June 2016

“We are massively proud of Mubtaahij tonight,” said Mike de Kock on his website (www.mikedekockracing.com ) after the game four-year-old and his partner Christophe Soumillon grinded their way into second in Saturday’s US$10-million 2016 Dubai World Cup, beaten three-and-three-quarters in the 2000m dirt spectacular by US star, California Chrome, ridden by Victor Espinoza.

“I tell you, we were beaten by some racehorse.  California Chrome had to race wide throughout and his saddle slipped in the race, but look at the convincing way he won.  We’ll happily take our second to the best dirt horse in the world. We are over the moon!” Mike enthused.

Mike, who had told the media and Mubtaahij’s supporters to expect his best on World Cup night, was vindicated and he commented: “I couldn’t have the Super Saturday results.  Mubtaahij reversed the form of the Maktoum Challenge Round 3 with Special Fighter and Gun Pit.

“Christophe and I discussed the Dubai World Cup at length this week and we envisaged what would happen. We were keen to lead the race, to make the pace if we had to. As it happened he jumped well, found a dream passage on the fence and settled in the running.

“Mubtaahij stays very well and he fought all the way for a well-deserved second, congratulations to Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum and well done to Christophe for a super ride. He masterfully got into that spot on the inside fence.”

While Mike said that no immediate plans were in place for Mubtaahij next, the form of this renewal of the Dubai World Cup is likely to carry much merit.  California Chrome set a new track record in winning, and in the process became the all-time leading money earner in North American racing history.

“Today it proves how he can run when he’s 100 per cent, said Espinoza, who scored his first Dubai World Cup win in his fourth try. Last year he (California Chrome) finished second and it was not very fun. My goal after winning the Triple Crown was to win the Dubai World Cup and we did it.”

The winner’s share of $6 million pushed California Chrome’s career earnings to $12,532,650, eclipsing 2008 Dubai World Cup winner Curlin ($10,501,800) as the US all-time leading money earner.

“He is a once in a lifetime horse,” trainer Art Sherman said. “It (all-time leading US earner) was a goal in the back of my mind. You think of all the great trainers in the history of this game and you really appreciate that it happened to us.”

(AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili)

> “Mubtaahij deserves a US campaign, he’s got a big race in America in him! We may go (for the Breeders Cup), but only if California Chrome doesn’t pitch. If he goes East, we”ll go West!”… watch Andrew Bon’s interview with Mike de Kock after Saturday’s big race:

Both Abashiri and Heaps Of Fun have accepted to run in the R2-million SA Classic and R1-million Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Classic respectively over 1800m at Turffontein on Saturday 2 April.

In doing so Abashiri, winner of the Betting World Gauteng Guineas, will continue in his endeavour to win the R2-million SA Triple Crown while Heaps Of Fun, the Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas champion, is being aimed at the R1-million Wilgerbosdrift Triple Tiara for fillies.

Abashiri will come up against many of the same runners he beat with ease in the Guineas and from a No 4 barrier position many pundits will expect him to dish up much the same sort of fare to his opposition in the Classic. Karl Zechner retains the ride.

Anton Marcus has stayed with Brazuca who failed to overcome a wide draw in the Guineas and could only manage fourth. This time he is drawn at No 9 which, over 1800m, is not that much of a disaster.

Stable companion New Predator did not accept to run in the Classic but is an early declaration for the R1-million HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut on the same day where he will come up against Captain America.

Champagne Haze, who finished a 2.50-length second to Abashiri in the Guineas is well drawn at No 1 and will have champion jockey Gavin Lerena, returning from Hong Kong, in the irons.

One runner who can be expected to improve on his average run in the Guineas is Sean Tarry-trained Liege. He bounced back to form with a facile win at Turffontein last week and should run a lot closer to Abashiri on this occasion.

Heaps Of Fun was aided by a superb ride from S’manga Khumalo to win the Fillies Guineas. She beat Negroamaro by just under a length and it should again be an interesting tussle between the pair.

KwaZulu-Natal visitor Princess Varunya might have failed in the Guineas but trainer Kom Naidoo said prior to that race the Classic and Oaks were her main mission. She has stayed on the Highveld and will have fully acclimatised, so with Anthony Delpech in the irons and a No 2 draw she cannot be ignored.

Frosty Friday ran a 1.70-length third in the Guineas off a wide draw. Sadly for the connections she is drawn No 13 for this race but over this distance Muzi Yeni should be able to get her well positioned.

Lerena will be aboard She’s A Dragon who finished a 3.70-length fourth in the Fillies Guineas.

The final fields for the balance of the races on Classic Day will be announced on Tuesday.

Final field for the R2-million SA Classic (Grade 1) over 1800m at Turffontein on Saturday 2 April.

1 – 4 ABASHIRI (M G Azzie) K Zechner 60.0 – 111

2 – 9 BRAZUCA (J A Janse van Vuuren) A Marcus 60.0 – 109

3 – 1 CHAMPAGNE HAZE (G M Alexander) G Lerena 60.0 – 106

4 – 14 ROCKETBALL (G H Van Zyl) M Yeni 60.0 – 103

5 – 12 SUYOOF (M F De Kock) S Brown 60.0 – 103

6 – 8 MUWAARY (M F De Kock) C Murray 60.0 – 102

7 – 5 ROMANY PRINCE (O A Ferraris) A Delpech 60.0 – 102

8 – 7 MALAK EL MOOLOOK (S G Tarry) …………… 60.0 – 101

9 – 2 LE CLOS (M G Azzie) C Zackey 60.0 – 97

10 – 13 TRADING PROFIT (M G Azzie) B Fayd’Herbe 60.0 – 96

11 – 11 LUNAR APPROACH (S G Tarry) S Khumalo 60.0 – 95

12 – 6 LIEGE (S G Tarry) J P v’d Merwe 60.0 – 93

13 – 10 VAL ET AL (G V Woodruff) C Maujean 60.0 – 90

14 – 3 SAMURAI BLADE (S G Tarry) …………… 60.0 – 88

Same Trainer: (1,9,10) (5,6) (8,11,12,14)

Final field for the R1-million Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Classic (Grade 1) over 1800m at Turffontein on Saturday 2 April.

1 – 10 HEAPS OF FUN (S G Tarry) S Khumalo 60.0 – 104

2 – 3 NEGROAMARO (J A Janse van Vuuren) A Marcus 60.0 – 104

3 – 13 FROSTY FRIDAY (G H Van Zyl) M Yeni 60.0 – 101

4 – 5 SHE’S A DRAGON (C Mayhew) G Lerena 60.0 – 101

5 – 8 JUXTAPOSE (S M Ferreira) C Maujean 60.0 – 98

6 – 2 PRINCESS VARUNYA (K Naidoo) A Delpech 60.0 – 98

7 – 4 PERSIAN RUG (M F De Kock) B Lerena 60.0 – 94

8 – 7 NOOR (M F De Kock) C Zackey 60.0 – 92

9 – 1 WITCHCRAFT (S G Tarry) J P v’d Merwe 60.0 – 88

10 – 9 ALEXA (G V Woodruff) R Danielson 60.0 – 87

11 – 11 MELLIFLORA (M G Azzie) K Zechner 60.0 – 86

12 – 6 CHRISTMAS CAROL (G V Woodruff) B Fayd’Herbe 60.0 – 83

13 – 12 POLYPHONIC (A G Laird) C Murray 60.0 – 82

Same Trainer: (1,9) (7,8) (10,12)

Highveld trainer Robbie Sage has nurtured the famous white racehorse, Gran Blanco, to a point whereby he might soon race and in other yard news his smart three-year-old filly Madame Dubois is destined for America and will fly out on the same shipment, via Mauritius, as Smart Call and Noah For Goa.

Meanwhile, the Coastal Horse Care Unit, who have played an important role in Gran Blanco’s life, deservedly won the “Organisation Of The Year Award” at the last KZN Sports awards.

Gran Blanco attracted worldwide interest in 2011 when becoming the first ever white thoroughbred foal born in South Africa.

Most laymen would be surprised to learn this, because there are many thoroughbreds who appear white. However these horses are officially grey. Greys are born with a base colour, usually bay, chestnut or black, but an inherited gene slowly removes pigment from the coat and they might eventually appear to be white.

Actual white colouring in horses is caused by areas of skin that lack pigment cells, but it is usually only found near the feet and on the nose.

The cells are known as “depigmentation phenotypes”, and most of the genetics behind it is still unknown.

The world’s first ever white thoroughbred registered was a filly born in 1963 in Kentucky called White Beauty. She was a genetic mutation. By the end of 2005, only 48 white thoroughbreds had been registered in history, but 28 of these occurred between 2001 and 2005 as a result of the American Paint Horse Association, which specifically breeds unusually coloured thoroughbreds and quarter horses.

The Rathmor Stud-bred Gran Blanco, who is by Kahal out of Rakeen mare Perakeen, was knocked down at the National Yearling Sales in 2013 for R220,000.

However, the purchasers later fell on hard times and the Coastal Horse Care Unit were granted a court order to monitor the situation. Through the help of the latter organisation, aided by a concerned Rathmor Stud, Gran Blanco eventually found himself in the good hands of Sage.

The latter has deliberately allowed Gran Blanco to remain an entire in order to strengthen him up. The process of nurturing him back to full health and then conditioning him into racing shape has required a lot of kindness and horse care skills as well as a lot of patience and understanding from the current owner.

However, Gran Blanco was recently gelded, a sign his first start could be around the corner.

Meanwhile, Madame Dubois flies out to Mauritius on March 27, where she will stay for three months on the first leg of a long quarantine-dictated journey to America.

The Count Dubois filly won three of seven starts in South Africa, including the Gr 3 HSH Princess Charlene Of Monaco Starling Stakes over 1400m and the Gr 3 Three Troikas Stakes over 1450m. She beat the Gr 2 Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas winner and runner up, Heaps Of Fun and Negoroamara, in the latter event. Originally owned solely by Colin Bird, her final start in South Africa in the Three Troikas was for a partnership consisting of Bird, Team Valor International, Valor Ladies LLC and Vanashree and Anant Singh.

Meanwhile, Gill Olmesdahl of the Coastal Horse Care Unit said the prizemoney from the KZN Sports Awards is being used to build more paddocks, a valuable asset in the horse care duties they carry out tirelessly.
– David Thiselton

Alyson Wright’s two-year-old Var filly Diamond In The Sky won in impressive style on debut on the Greyville turf on Sunday and there is a heartwarming story behind this talented sort.

She was quite green in the running in Sunday’s 1000m event, which was run in slightly soft going, and threw hear head up for a stride or two around the turn.  However, she quickened superbly and then ran all the way to the line under Brandon Lerena to win by 1,5 lengths from Fortissimus.

Diamond In The Sky had drifted out from 12/10 to 5/2, while Fortissimus had been backed into 5/2 joint favourite.

Diamond In The Sky, who is a solidly built chestnut with a nice stride, was bred by Rathmor Stud and is out of Dominion Royale mare Sorority, who won one race over 1400m at Greyville in just her third start. Sorority has now produced three winners, including an A. P. Arrow filly who finished runner up in the Listed Zimbabwe Derby.

Kevin Wright liked Diamond In The Sky at the Sale and duly thought he had clinched her for R300,000. Mike McHardy of Rathmor had already presented Kevin with a gift bag, when a commotion broke out.

Unbeknown to Kevin, well-known owner Ray Koedyk had been sitting in front of him during the bidding and the horse had actually been knocked down to him.

Koedyk’s bloodstock agent thus stopped the Sale in order to sort out the confusion. A quick audit revealed Koedyk to indeed be the legitimate buyer. It was a bit of a blow for the Wrights, but they were sporting about it.

There was later to be a happy ending.

They bumped into Koedyk at last year’s Mike Holmes Bloodstock Super Sale, which is always held in the Greyville parade ring on the afternoon of the Vodacom Durban July Gallops.

Koedyk told them the Sales confusion had been weighing on his mind and he had consequently decided to send the horse to them. The horse had in the meantime been at Sue Peters’ spelling farm.

Rathmor were the only possible losers in the end, because there is no telling how long the bidding would have gone on for.

However, McHardy was delighted when informed of the wonderful gesture by Koedyk.

The Wrights have been in the game for long enough to know it is only when facing the best that the true class of a horse can be revealed, so they are keeping their feet on the ground.

However, they were impressed by Diamond In The Sky’s debut effort, especially considering how green she was.

Another asset she possesses is a wonderful temperament, which augurs well considering Var’s possible best ever daughter Val De Ra was also chestnut and was so laid back she was almost asleep.

– David Thiselton

– Picture: Nkosi Hlophe

Cold As ice is being targeted at the Golden Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot in bid to fly the flag for South Africa.

Ridgemont manager Craig Carey said: “William Haggas’s favoured race for her is the Jubilee but he stresses that everything has to go right in the meantime for her to run in that. It would be great for South African racing and breeding if she were to run.”

Bernard Fayd’Herbe, who rode her to win the Choice Carriers as well as her first two British starts including the win at Chelmsford, has stood himself down as he does not expect to be able to do the weight in her planned campaign.

Carey said: “We’ve left it in William’s care to find a suitable jockey but we want continuity, someone who can ride her at Lingfield and Ascot as well as the two or three races leading up to the Jubilee.”

Joe Fanning, who rode her last time, rides the majority of Mark Johnson’s big string and so is unlikely to be available. Cold As Ice runs next in the £150 000 (R3.3 million) Fillies & Mares Final at Lingfield on Friday week.

– Michael Clower
– Picture: Liesl King

South Africa will have eight representatives at the Dubai World Cup racemeeting to be held at Maydan on Saturday, March 26.

Participation is by invitation and Paul Lafferty was sweating on Harry’s Son’s entry for the Dubai Turf. However, the Australian-bred colt will be in the line-up.

The other seven runners are all trained by ‘Dubai King’ Mike de Kock who will have another crack at the $10 million World Cup with Mubtaahij. The race is run over 2000m on dirt and former Kentucky Derby winner California Chrome is warm ante-post favourite after his recent smashing win in the Trans Gulf Electromechanical Trophy at Meydan.

The former Dubai Derby winner was deemed good enough by De Kock to try his luck in the U.S. Classics but has yet to win since the Derby.

Other loclly bred runners on the night are Tellina and Star Empire, both entries for the Dubai Gold Cup and Forries Waltz who will start with Harry’s Son in the Dubai Turf.

The full list of runners is:

HARRY’S SON (Dubai Turf)  – Paul Lafferty

MUBTAAHIJ (Dubai World Cup) – Mike de Kock

FORRIES WALTZ (Dubai Turf) – Mike de Kock

PRAYER FOR RELIEF (Godolphin Mile) – Mike de Kock

TELLINA (Dubai Gold Cup) – Mike de Kock

STAR EMPIRE (Dubai Gold Cup) – Mike de Kock

VALE DORI (UAE Derby) – Mike de Kock

Meanwhile, there are no Frankel’s, Black Caviar’s or Variety Clubs around this season and currently the world’s best three racehorses are bracketed on a modest 121 with a host of runners cramped in just behind.

The only two South African horses to feature are J&B Met winner Smart Call (above) in joint sixth place on 119 and runner-up Legal Eagle who shares seventeenth place with a rating of 117.

The LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings is the official listing of the world’s best racehorses (For 3yos and upwards which raced between 1st January and 6th March 2016).

The leading trio come from across the globe and although none of them are based in the United Arab Emirates, all three are being pointed toward the lucrative Dubai World Cup card on March 26.

Kentucky Derby winner California Chrome is the leading dirt horse and is current favourite for the Dubai World Cup. Alongside in joint first is the Japanese galloper Duramente and the Irish-bred Postponed.

California Chrome kicked off his 2016 campaign at home with a victory in the San Pasqual Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita before heading to Dubai. He then easily won the Trans Gulf Electromechanical Trophy at Meydan giving his rivals 7.5kg. He finished second in last year’s edition of the world’s richest race but was sidelined for the rest of 2015 and did not race again until the San Pasqual.
Also returning from a lengthy layoff is Japanese champion Duramente who has not raced since last May when he won the Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) (G1). He then suffered fractures in both front legs and missed the rest of the year while recovering from surgery.

Postponed, who ended his 2015 season with a victory in the Qatar Prix Foy (G2) at Longchamp, made his first start of 2016 a memorable one during Super Saturday of the Dubai World Cup Carnival. The 5-year-old was an easy winner when he took the Dubai City of Gold Sponsored by Skycargo (G2) by three lengths. Postponed and Duramente are now set to square off in the Dubai Sheema Classic (G1) on Dubai World Cup night.

– Andrew Harrison

– Pictures: Liesl King (Smart Call) and JC Photos (Harry’s Son)