David Thiselton

The BSA National Yearling Sale showed that optimism still prevails in South African racing as the statistics were only slightly down on last year’s phenomenal returns.

There were no fewer than 43 lots sold for seven figure amounts and this was in fact identical to last year’s number of seven figure lots sold.

That was despite there being less horses on this year’s Sale.

The 2024 Sale saw a phenomenal increase in average from R442,672 in 2023 to R581,948 and this year saw a slight decrease to R563,852.

There are some who say the median is a better indicator of the depth of a Sale than the average and the median was unchanged from last year to this year on R400,000.

The aggregate decreased from R200,190,000 to R171,975,000.

However, the only real difference was the top end. The top price last year was R6,000,000 and there were three lots that were R5 million or above, whereas this year’s top lot was R4,250,000.

The number of lots sold decreased from 344 to 305, which mirrors the lament that there are not enough horses being bred in the country at present. The opening of direct travel to Europe proceeded last year’s blockbuster Sale and hopefully it will also lead to more horses being bred. Next year’s Sale numbers should give an indication of whether we are going in the right direction.

The Not Sold figure decreased from 20 last year to eleven this year, which was a positive change.

Form Bloodstock purchased all of the top 4 lots over the two days and were top buyers, their 15 purchases amounting to 27,075,000 for an average of R1,805,000.

The top vendor was Wilgerbosdrift with 20 lots fetching R20,075,000 for an average of R1,003,750.

Vercingetorix was the top sire as expected with 25 lots going for R35,875,000 for a phenomenal average of R1,435,000, a new BSA National Yearling Sale record, although it did not match his Cape Racing Sales March Sale average of R 1,661,364.

It was interesting to see Rafeef in second place at Nationals and he was also the only other sire to average above R1 million.

Freshman sire Hawwaam was third by aggregate, although reigning champion stallion Gimmethegreenlight was third by average.

Malmoos proved popular and was prominent in the statistics.

The highest price was for a Rafeef colt called October Rush, who is out of the Var mare Miss October. This colt is a half-brother to two Gr 1 winners, Tempting Fate (Master Of My Fate) and October Morn (Trippi), and Form Bloodstock went to R4,250,0000 to secure him. The colt was vendored by Avontuur Estate but was bred by Avontuur in partnership with the late David Abery.

Abery passed away last September and was a tremendous loss to the industry as he was instrumental in getting the ban on direct travel lifted.

It is fitting that after the lifting of the ban, and the accompanying Sales buoyancy, Abery has had two horses sold at the BSA National Yearling Sale for massive prices.

The story starts when Abery raced the Var filly Miss October with a big group of friends.

Miss October was very quick, despite her second dam being July winner Devon Air, and she didn’t stay beyond 1000m.

A full sister to Gr 1 Mercury Sprint winner August Rush, she was trained by Neil Bruss to win two of her first three starts, she then moved to Dennis Drier for whom she won first time out and she later moved to Geoff Woodruff, probably to take advantage of the fast sprint tracks of the Highveld, and for him she won two races including the Gr 3 Tommy Hotspur Handicap.

All five of her wins were over 1000m.

None of the other owners wanted to breed with Miss October, so David phoned Pippa Mickelburgh, stud manager of Miss October’s breeder Avontuur Estates, and together they bought the other owners out.

Miss October has gone on to breed two Gr 1 winners, Tempting Fate (Master Of My Fate) and October Morn (Trippi) and she has had three seven figure yearlings sold at the BSA National Yearling Sale.

Last year Miss October’s colt by boom sire Vercingetorix fetched R2.8 million and this year, as mentioned, her Rafeef colt was the Sale topper.

Furthermore, October Morn was sold last year, appropriately in October, by the Abery Family Syndicate and was purchased by one of the world’s leading breeders, Australian John Messara’s Arrowfield Stud.

Abery’s decision to breed with Miss October has paid handsome dividends and has been a wonderful investment for his family as Miss October’s family is burgeoning and should provide lucrative financial rewards.

On Day 2 of the Sale the highest priced lot was R3 million for a Lammerskraal Stud-bred filly by Vercingetorix out of the Gr 1 Garden Province Stakes-winning Western Winter mare Redberry Lane.

The second highest price on the Sale was actually the first lot of the whole Sale and was also out of a Garden Province winner. This Hemel ‘N Aarde Stud-bred Vercingetorix colt was out of the Master Of My Fate mare Zarina and went for R3,250,000. 

David Thiselton

The Listed WSB Sledgehammer over 1750m was the highlight of the ten race Hollywoodbets Scottsville meeting yesterday and the Peter Muscutt-trained three-year-old colt I Salute You gave the Australian-bred Epaulette stallion Soqrat his first stakes winner when prevailing from Selukwe in a thriller under Muzi Yeni.

I Salute You started 5/2 second favourite and Yeni found a nice one out and two back position with cover in fourth place. The favourite Legal Counsel was dropped out from a wide draw, but refused to settle throughout behind a slow pace set by Quatermain and his race was run a long way out. Defending champion Narina Trogon came from fifth place on the rail and hit the front halfway down the straight on the inside. However, I Salute You had come around the pacemaker and overtook Narina Trogon close to home. Selukwe had sat behind I Salute You in the running and challenged him strongly late, but was a longhead shy at the line with Narina Trogon beaten 0,45 lengths into third.

In the Non-Black Type Scarlet Lady over 1750m the Gareth van Zyl-trained Vercingetorix filly Tomyris has always been highly regarded and showed it in her previous KZN start before failing in a strong Johannesburg feature. Yesterday, she came from last in the nine horse field and displayed a magnificent turn of foot under S’Manga Khumalo to beat the progressive favourite Mascherina by 0,80 lengths, despite being under sufferance carrying 57kg off an official 88 merit rating. Third-placed Forgiveness was beaten 5,20 lengths, which says a lot about the performance of the first two. 

In the Highland Night Cup the exciting Frank Robinson-trained stayer Shoot The Rapids, an unlucky second in last year’s Gold Cup, travelled well in third place in the 2400m event and cruised past market rival and fellow topweight Cape Eagle in the straight. However, the latter fought back bravely, so those who had taken the 13/10 about the Erupt gelding had a few anxious moments, but he did hold on by 0,30 lengths after Zackey had deftly swapped whiphands late and got the necessary extra.

In the first race over 1000m Cape Town form once again proved superior as the four-year-old Master Of My Fate gelding Tam’s Night looked superior to the rest throughout and won his first start for the Robbie and Shannon Hill yard cosily under Tristan Godden, despite returning from a ten month layoff and having drifted out to 6/1.

In the second race over 1000m the Duncan Howells-trained three-year-old Fire Away filly drifted out to 10/1, despite having placed in the first three in her last three starts, and that proved fine value as she showed good pace throughout under Kabelo Matsunyane and just held on from a fast finishing Lucienne. Are You Sure had beaten Ruby Rising by 3,60 lengths when they last met and had beaten Lucienne by 2,90 lengths when they last met and she was backed into 9/10 favourite. However, S’Manga Khumalo, who replaced Sean Veale, could not get much extra out of her after she showed her usual good pace and this time Ruby Rising beat her by 2,60 lengths as she could only manage fifth place.

In the third race over 1400m the Justin Snaith-trained Vercingetorix gelding Gran Canaria didn’t settle perfectly after going handy from a wide draw under Andrew Fortune, but the 17/10 shot proved superior and stayed on in the straight to get up by 0.90 lengths from the 14/10 favourite Pioneer Square, who was raiding from Johannesburg. The fancied White Seahorse was next best.

In the fourth race over 1750m Siboniso NgCobo has done a fine job with the four-year-old The United States filly Colorado Creek and this consistent sort had a good form chance and duly won comfortably by a length despite jumping from a wide draw under Muzi Yeni.

In the eighth race Northern Warrior was clearly playing up before the button was pressed, the commentator even said so, but nevertheless the starter pressed the button and he lost three lengths. The favourite, the Tienie Prinsloo-trained Erupt filly Happy Analia took a long time to load but won well under Kabelo Matsunyane, a deserved win after many close calls.

The ninth over 1200m was won by the Yogas Govender-trained Twice Over gelding Double Olympic under 4kg claimer Mxolisi Mbuto after being backed in to 9/2.

The last race over 1400m saw a storming late run by the Kumaran Naidoo-trained Fire Away gelding Down By The River to get up under Philasande Mxoli.

Please be advised that All bets taken for Hollywoodbets Kenilworth meeting for Saturday, 12 April and later Postponed to Monday, 14 April are deemed NULL and VOID and will be FULLY REFUNDED.

All bets to be re-taken for the Hollywoodbets Kenilworth meeting for Monday, 14 April 2025.

Due to unsafe underfoot conditions and further forecast of rain on Saturday the Hollywoodbets Kenilworth race meeting was postponed to Monday 14 April 2024.

Graeme Hawkins

Garrix was gelded just a few days after finishing third in the 2000m SplashOut Cape Derby (Gr1) and the 3yo son of Vercingetorix could prove the one to beat in today’s R350 000 Variety Club Mile (Gr3) over 1600m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth. Garrix has always been very highly regarded but many pundits opined that we were only likely to see the best of version of him as a gelding. Now that theory is ready to be put to the test and with just 52,5kgs to shoulder and Ashton Arries in the saddle, the Piet Steyn-trained inmate makes plenty of appeal from a handy draw.

But this is a quality renewal of the Variety Club Mile and there is a depth of talent amongst both the older brigade as well as the young turks. Let It Be Said is in very good form and Muzi Yeni has been engaged to ride Justin Snaith’s charge as the 3yo son of Vercingetorix attempts to complete a hattrick. Interestingly Let It Be Said beat Garrix by half-a-length in the maiden ranks over 1250m at Hollywoodbets Durbanville back in September and the pair meet again on the same terms. That was Garrix’s debut effort whereas Let It Be Said was having his fourth start and over the extra 350m there is every reason to believe Garrix may have the upper hand over Let It Be Said.

Rascallion and Magic Verse lead the charge for the more seasoned campaigners, but the former has it all to do under top weight of 61,5kgs and from the worst of the draw. But the evergreen 7yo, who won this race last year, brings solid form into the race and it would come as no surprise to anybody if Vaughan Marshall’s veteran again rose to the occasion under Andrew Fortune. Magic Verse looks well treated on 56kgs and based on the result of the Premiers Trophy he should comfortably have the measure of Rascallion at these weights. That said, Magic Verse appears to reserve his best performances for a slightly stiffer test of stamina than he gets here, but he no doubt warrants utmost respect.

Two other sons of Vercingetorix, The Grey King and Gallic Dream, have the ability and the form to make their presence felt. The Grey King was beaten nearly two lengths by Let It Be Said over 1400m in January but is now a massive 6,5kgs better off with his stable companion. That certainly brings him into the picture with a bright chance and Craig Zackey retains the ride. Gallic Dream has won his last two starts over 1400m and tackles the extra 200m for the first time in his career.

It’s a fascinating and competitive renewal of the Variety Club Mile but Garrix ticks many boxes and gets the vote to claim his first Stakes success.

The R200 000 Sweet Chestnut Stakes (Listed) (F&M) over 1400m is the supporting feature on the 10-race programme and for those whose memories don’t extend back many years, Sweet Chestnut was a brilliant filly trained by Mike Bass during the early days of his long and successful career. Mike’s daughter, Candice Bass-Robinson, is clearly intent on trying to win this year’s edition and comes with a five-pronged attack, the best of which could be Rainbow Lorikeet and Scarlet Macaw. If the latter reproduces her WSB Cape Fillies Guineas (Gr1) effort when runner-up behind Fatal Flaw, then the daughter of Horizon should prove a tough nut to crack under Andrew Fortune. Scarlet Macaw’s two subsequent below par efforts were recorded while Candice’s stable was struggling with a virus, and I am expecting a return to best form here. 

Rainbow Lorikeet has been a revelation this season but there is a hint she could find this trip a little on the sharp side although the daughter of Querari will be doing her best work late and could get into the mix on a rain softened track. Bass-Robinson also saddles the ultra-consistent Callmegetrix and the 4yo daughter of Vercingetorix faces the toughest test of her career to date. She will need to raise her game to come out on top, but Callmegetrix is all heart and will be thereabouts at the finish. Gold Poker Game and Kyalami Girl complete Candice’s quintet but are suspect over the trip and their stable mates are preferred.

From an inside gate, the Brett & James Crawford trained Princess Izzy cannot be overlooked as she is arguably at her very best over 1400m. It’s been more than a year since the daughter of Master Of My Fate found the winner’s enclosure, but she is very consistent and was a good second in the Prix Du Cap (Gr3) in her most recent outing. On official ratings Princess Izzy has a bit to find in this line-up but I would not be discounting her chances. Kinda Wonderful appreciated stepping up to 1800m last time when runner-up behind subsequent winner Give Me Everything and may be using this as a stepping stone into the final two legs of the Winter Series. But Eric Sands’ 3yo daughter of Gimmethegreenlight is talented and appears well handicapped here.

Lock And Key is an interesting runner. Trained by Glen Kotzen, Lock And Key won her first two starts before finishing unplaced in the Grade 1 Thekwini Stakes at Hollywoodbets Greyville last term and she makes her first appearance as a 3yo tomorrow. Kotzen reports that Lock And Key has had a few gallops coming into this race and “a competitive run” is expected. The 2025 Sweet Chestnut Stakes shapes up as a very competitive event but, without much confidence, I am in the camp of Scarlet Macaw and hopeful she can turn her form around. Exotic bet players though will need to cast their nets a little wider in this leg and perhaps rely on the progressive La Pulga as a banker in the 8^th race, a Middle Stakes over 1800m.

RACE 1

2 ASHIKULE stayed on powerfully behind Military Command on debut, he was still very green and managed to finish second behind a smart horse that went on to win the Cape Slipper, with form like that and with natural improvement on the cards, he will be very hard to beat here. 5 SPIRIT is a lovely colt, there is no doubt that he will mature into a nice horse with time, the yard thinks highly of this individual, he must be included into all bets. 11 DEMANDING DAVE showed good improvement from his first start into his second start, he should be finishing off his race strongly, watch him closely. 8 CALL OF THE KAROO has been rested for 77 days, he is much better than his last run, if he can put that poor performance behind him, he could sneak into the places. (Brandon Bailey: 2 – 5 – 11 – 8)

RACE 2

12 MARKETA ran a super race on debut behind Cliffscape on the 22nd of March, she was drawn poorly at Hollywoodbets Durbanville and she still managed to run just three lengths behind the winner, there is no doubt that she will improve tons from that performance, watch her closely, she has a big winning chance. 1 UNA THE UNICORN improved nicely in her second start at the races behind Cliffscape, she will be stalking the speed early, and she will be storming home late, include her into all bets. 2 PARALEGAL ran a lovely second behind Jordash on the 11th of February, her form is good, she will be right there in the finish. 7 GOT THE LOOK was only beaten just over five lengths on debut, the form of that race has worked out well, she could sneak into the places at a big price. (Brandon Bailey: 12 – 1 – 2 – 7)

RACE 3

4 THINGAMABOB ran a fair race behind Wehaveasituation on the 26th of March, she was unfortunately drawn badly on that occasion which didn’t help her chances, now that she drops back in trip, she should have a good winning chance here. 9 CAPE CAPTAIN has improved nicely in her last two runs up the straight at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, the yard is in great form at the moment, she must have a good each way chance in this wide open race. 6 ALEX MILLER drops back in trip for this Open Maiden on Saturday afternoon, she never runs a bad race, this looks to be a good opportunity for her to exit the maiden ranks, include her into the play. 15 ALESSIA ASHEVILLE could be some decent value, she has been drawn terribly in her last two starts at Hollywoodbets Durbanville, and she has run two very nice races from those bad draws, with some luck in running on Saturday, she could absolutely trouble them all in the finish. (Brandon Bailey: 4 – 9 – 6 – 15)

RACE 4

5 HERITAGE RIDGE has run two very good seconds in succession, she is gutsy and she tries hard, this looks to be the perfect race for her to exit the maiden ranks, she will be tough to beat. 2 TRIPPING THUNDER is as consistent as they come, he never runs a bad race, he will be on speed and should be in it for a long way, include him into all bets. 10 DIGBY has been rested for a long time, he ran a super race on debut behind Billy Cool, if he doesn’t need the run badly, he could certainly win a race like this. 11 IKO IKO has been rested for 298 days, his form is good, if he doesn’t need the run, he could be a major factor here. (Brandon Bailey: 5 – 2 – 10 – 11)

RACE 5

8 KONNICHIWA stayed on strongly last time behind Bel Canto Dream, his last two runs have been very good, it’s not a straight forward race on paper, but he definitely has a good each way chance on Saturday. 4 GOLD DUST ran a terrific race behind Dubbelosix on the 5th of March, there is no doubt that he is improving with every start, he should get the run of the race from a good draw, include him into all bets. 2 VAPOUR TRAIL has been rested for 66 days, he is a two-year old taking on older horses which won’t be easy, but he is packed with ability and should love the step up in trip from a good draw. 1 SMART HORSE was well beaten last time behind Noble Hero, he could sneak into the places at best. It’s a tricky race, you will need to go wide in all your bets. (Brandon Bailey: 8 – 4 – 2 – 1)

RACE 6

5 KINDA WONDERFUL stayed on exceptionally well behind the improving Give Me Everything in the Listed Cape Fillies Classic, she will be stalking the speed early and running on strongly late, she must have a good winning chance here. 3 PRINCESS IZZY ran a lovely race in the Grade 3 Prix Du Cap on the 22nd of February, she absolutely loves this trip of 1400m, from a good draw, she will be competitive and must be respected. 9 SCARLET MACAW is much better than her last run, ignore that poor performance, even though she is drawn awkwardly, she should appreciate dropping in trip and will be hitting the line hard late. 7 CALLMEGETRIX is as honest as they come, it will be a tough task for her to win, but she could earn some place money for the connections. (Brandon Bailey: 5 – 3 – 9 – 7)

RACE 7

3 GARRIX was gelded on the 24th of February, he is undoubtedly one of the better three year old’s in the country, his form is excellent and he will love the drop in trip to 1600m, he will be very hard to beat. 4 ZAPATILLAS ran a much better race in the Listed Jet Master Stakes behind The Real Prince, he is a good looking sort packed with tons of ability, he is slowly starting to drop in the ratings, watch him closely, he should be right there in the finish on his best form. 9 LET IT BE SAID won well on the 8th of March at Hollywoodbets Durbanville, he can be quite strong in his races, if he relaxes early and settles into a good rhythm, he could be competitive with no weight on his back. 5 BILLY BOWLEGS had no luck in running last time, he was taken up for a number of strides in the home straight, with a clear passage on Saturday, he could sneak into the places at a decent price. (Brandon Bailey: 3 – 4 – 9 – 5)

RACE 8

7 LA PULGA absolutely took off late to run a great race behind All Out For Six on the 16th of March, he was a long way back in running and really caught the eye late, he should love the step up in trip to 1800m, on his best form, he will be hard to beat here. 5 PINOT GRIGIO has been rested for 115 days, he is still improving with every start, if he doesn’t need the run badly, he could be a serious threat with no weight on his back. 8 RULE OF THUMB won well on the 8th of February at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, he was given three points for that victory, he is a gutsy sort that tries hard, if the race works out for him, he could earn again in this competitive race. 3 FIBONACCI hasn’t won for a long time, he ran a fair race last time behind Legal Counsel, if he can improve from that performance, he will have a money chance. (Brandon Bailey: 7 – 5 – 8 – 3)

RACE 9

7 KAIBOY is packed with ability, he ran a lovely second behind Symphony In White on the 26th of February, the yard have always spoken highly of this individual, he should get a good run in transit just behind the speed, and he will be low flying late. 9 ARCTIC WIZARD had no luck in running from a wide draw last time at Hollywoodbets Durbanville, ignore that run completely, he will be on speed and should run a cracker now that he is back up the straight at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth. 1 ELUSIVE WINTER has been in excellent form of late, he is a real speedball, he looks to be maturing into a nice sprinter, this is the horse they will all need to fetch late, he must be respected. 8 NORDIC CHIEF quickened up smartly to win a good race on the 5th of March, he was given four points for that win, he must be included into the Quartet. (Brandon Bailey: 7 – 9 – 1 – 8)

RACE 10         

7 THE US OF A has been rested and gelded, he is much better than his last run on the 25th of January, if he doesn’t need the run badly, he will be super competitive on his best form. 8 PIROSHKA has dropped nicely in the ratings, his form of late has been very good, he could be some decent value in the lucky last. 11 RATTLESNAKE stayed on strongly late last time behind Peace Of Mind, if he gets the right run in transit, he will be hitting the line hard, include him into all bets. 16 PEACE OF MIND led the field from start to finish on the 16th of March, she won a good race, she was only given two points for that victory, with similar tactics here, she could be hard to fetch, watch her closely. (Brandon Bailey: 7 – 8 – 11 – 16)