David Thiselton

At Turffontein Standside on Saturday the Tony Peter-trained Buffalo Storm Cody stamped himself as a Gr 2 Golden Horse Sprint contender to reckon with when putting in his second fine performance in succession.

On March 20 on Turffontein Inside the son of Buffalo Bill Cody had his first run as a gelding and after looking a picture of alertness and well being in the preliminaries he romped home by 8,25 lengths under Gavin Lerena. On Saturday he had a tougher task in the Non-Black Type Mythical Flight Sprint for three-year-olds and he knuckled down in the final stages to pull clear and win by two lengths under Lerena after being backed in to 4/10, although he was receiving 2kg from the runner up Mount Pinatubo.

The Golden Horse Sprint has been downgraded to a Gr 2 event and it has a benchmark of 52kg equals a 106 merit rating. Buffalo Storm Cody ran off a 102 merit rating on Saturday and he probably ran close to a 110, considering the spread out nature of the finish in the small field. As three-year-olds get 1,5kg in May he will carry 52,5kg in the Golden Horse as things stand, although he might have another outing before then and incur a further merit rating increase.

There was an interesting winner of the first race at Turffontein over 1160m, the Mike de Kock-trained Gimmethegreenlight filly Jingleberry, who was bred by Blue Sky Thoroughbreds and is owned by Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein. 

She is out of the Western Winter mare Strawberry Line, who is a full sister to Gr 1 Cape Guineas winner Solo Travellers, and she displayed a fine turn of foot to come from off the pace to win comfortably under Gavin Lerena. 

The Lucky Houdalakis-trained Heavenly Blue gelding Royal Force put up a fine performance to win a strongly contested Graduation Plate over 1400m under Piere Strydom. He 98 rated horse carried the same weight as Aristotle, rated 113, and Grand Crescendo, rated 114, and beat them comfortably to the surprise of Houdalakis and Strydom so should pay to follow as he can only get a six point raise. 

The chief overseas action on Saturday was as  Randwick in Australia.

James Steven’s of the Racing Post wrote:

Via Sistina equalled Winx’s record of seven Group 1 victories in one season with another dominant display in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes, as the British-trained Dubai Honour finished second.

Viva Sistina was a top-level winner of the Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh when trained by George Boughey in Newmarket before being bought for 2,700,000gns to race in Australia after her fine second to King Of Steel in the 2023 Champion Stakes. The seven-year-old proved an instant success with victory in the Ranvet Stakes but has gone from strength to strength this campaign.

The evens favourite appeared to be short of room in a bunched field turning for home under James McDonald at Randwick yet surged into the lead when a gap finally appeared to win comfortably.

Her seven Group 1 victories include success over seven furlongs at the start of the season and takes her total career haul to £6.6 million.

Elsewhere at Randwick, the Rachel King-ridden Arapaho landed the Sydney Cup and was cut to 25-1 with Unibet for the Melbourne Cup.

RACE 1     

3 IDEAL SUMMER 5 ETHICAL 4 BOLD ACTION 8 LADY NOIR

Preview: 3 IDEAL SUMMER  ran an improved race when stepped up to 1600m second time out but does have a tricky draw here.5 ETHICAL should improve over this trip and should be in the shake-up. 4 BOLD ACTION has run two fair races and being by Futura should enjoy this step up and trip. 8 LADY NOIR might be able to place here. (David Thiselton 3-5-4-8)

RACE 2     

3 RINGHO 2 ALESIAN BEAU 8 PANNING SILVER 7 MISS TAKES

Preview: 3 RINGHO has run three good races and has a chance here. 2 ALESIAN BEAU was slightly ahead of Ringho last time out and there should not be much in it again but Ringho does have a favourable high draw. 8 PANNING SILVER drops back to a trip which should suit her.7 MISS TAKES made a fair debut and could improve. (David Thiselton 3-2-8-7)

RACE 3     

10 QUIET WINTER 8 CAPTAIN SELVIE 1 DESERT CLOUD 2 PANTHERA UNCIA

Preview: 10 QUIET WINTER made a good debut and could be the one to beat. 8 CAPTAIN SELVIE made a fair debut and might prefer this trip. 1 DESERT CLOUD has promise and should have come on from his last run. 2 PANTHERA UNCIA is knocking on the door and should be involved. (David Thiselton 10-8-1-2)

RACE 4  

3 QUANTUM THEORY 2 CHOCOLATE SOLDIER 5 DANTONFROMSANDTON

Preview: 3 QUANTUM THEORY is in good form and should be right there. 2 CHOCOLATE SOLDIER Chocolate Soldier is very quick but 1200m might stretch him. 5 DANTONFROMSANDTON is better than his last run and could be in the shake-up. (David Thiselton 3-2-5)

RACE 5     

8 FUTURE KING 1 GIFT OF ROYAL 9 INCLUSION 2 BLURRED VISION

Preview: 5 FUTURE KING should improve over this trip and should be in the shake-up. 1 GIFT OF ROYAL is no great shakes but has a chance in this line-up. 9 INCLUSION should enjoy the step-up and trip and could also be placed. 2 BLURRED VISION could also be in the shake-up here. (David Thiselton 5-1-9-2)

RACE 6     

8 PLAYER 2 LA MOOHAL 1 MASTER CHRISTMAS 

Preview: 8 PLAYER has plenty of ability and from a good draw over a suitable trip should be right there. 2 LA MOOHAL is also capable of being in the shake-up. 1 MASTER CHRISTMAS has been facing some good opposition and from pole position should make his presence felt.  (David Thiselton 8-2-1)

RACE 7     

5 SONIC JET 7 POINTER 9 DESTINY OF FIRE

Preview: 5 SONIC JET went well over this trip category last time and has a plum draw on the outside.7 POINTER has plenty of ability and this looks to be a suitable trip. 9 DESTINY OF FIRE is knocking hard but does have a low draw. (David Thiselton 5-7-9)

RACE 8     

1 BLIND AMBITION 2 MOUNTAIN HIGH 4 STORMY SUNDAY 3 LAST CAR TO PASS

Preview: 1 BLIND AMBITION  is knocking on the door and is drawn on the right side. 2 MOUNTAIN HIGH should make a bold bid over a trip he or she should enjoy. 4 STORMY SUNDAY  might enjoy the step-down on the trip but does have a low draw to contend with. 3 LAST CAR TO PASS has shown ability and is capable of placing here. (David Thiselton 1-2-4-3)

RACE 9     

6 PRINCESS ILARIA 7 SIGRID SWING 10 MOCHA MACAROON 9 TANA MAREE

Preview: 6 PRINCESS ILARIA is in fine form and from a plum high draw can make it a hat trick. 7 SIGRID SWING is course and distance suited and also has a nice high draw. 10 MOCHA MACAROON is in fine form  and from a middle draw could be in the money. 9 TANA MAREE won well in the maidens but does have a low draw to contend with. (David Thiselton 6-7-10-9)

RACE 10    

4 THUNDERBIRD 5 CHABAL 13 SEA SHANTY 16 SAIL THE SKY

Preview: 4 THUNDERBIRD is drawn on the right side over a suitable trip and is the one to beat. 5 CHABAL has a fair middle draw and if repeating his last dot he should be in the shake-up. 13 SEA SHANTY disappointed last time but is better than that and is drawn on the right side. 16 SAIL THE SKY is knocking hard and has a nice high draw. (David Thiselton 4-5-13-16)

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. 

Durban – World Sports Betting (WSB) has reaffirmed its commitment to South African horseracing by renewing its sponsorship of three premier race meetings in KwaZulu-Natal during the upcoming winter season. These meetings will include the first two weekends of South Africa’s highly anticipated Champions Season. 

Racing enthusiasts can look forward to a thrilling day of action at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday, featuring a ten-race card headlined by the WSB Sledgehammer, WSB Scarlet Lady, and WSB Highland Night Cup. These races serve as an early stepping stone for horses preparing to compete in the Champions Season, which officially begins in May. 

“Horseracing has always been a cornerstone of our sponsorship strategy,” said Ryno Du Plessis, Chief Operating Officer of World Sports Betting. “The renewal of our partnership with Gold Circle reflects our continued passion for the sport and our belief in its future. We’re grateful to the Gold Circle team for allowing us to once again align the World Sports Betting brand with some of the season’s top racing events, and we look forward to welcoming KZN racing fans back on course.” 

The excitement continues at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday, 3 May, with the official opening of Champions Season. The day’s feature races will include the Grade 2 WSB Guineas, Grade 2 WSB Fillies Guineas, and the fan-favourite WSB 400m Dash, alongside the historic IOS Drill Hall Stakes. 

Just a week later, the spotlight will shift to the Grade 2 World Sports Betting 1900, a race that has played a key role in shaping the path to the Hollywoodbets Durban July, with the past two winners having launched their campaigns in this prestigious event. 

“With all the positive developments taking place in KwaZulu-Natal racing, it’s vital to have dedicated partners like World Sports Betting by our side,” said Steve Marshall, Events & Marketing Executive at Gold Circle. “Their growing support of the sport, both provincially and nationally, is a major boost for the industry and helps ensure a vibrant future for horseracing in South Africa.” 

For more information, visit www.goldcircle.co.za or follow Gold Circle on social media.

Durban, South Africa – The countdown has begun! The 129th edition of Africa’s premier horse racing and social spectacular, the Hollywoodbets Durban July (HDJ), is set to take place on Saturday, 5th July 2025, at the iconic Hollywoodbets Greyville Racecourse. As the most anticipated fixture on South Africa’s racing calendar, the event seamlessly blends world-class horse racing with high fashion, entertainment, and a memorable social experience.

Staying true to the theme of “Marvels of Mzansi,” this year’s racing extravaganza promises an iconic line-up of South African talent, featuring a diverse array of artists set to captivate all attendees throughout the day. The national anthem will be beautifully performed by one of the country’s leading songstresses – look out for the reveal in May. With these performances, the thousands of attendees expected at Hollywoodbets Greyville will have a memorable experience. Stay tuned for the full artist line-up. All ticket holders can look forward to a day filled with live entertainment that will be talked about for years to come, as this year’s HDJ celebrates Mzansi’s vibrant spirit. 

Tickets for this outstanding event are now officially on sale via Ticketpro (www.ticketpro.co.za). Priced at R230 for general admission, your ticket grants access to a day of thrilling racing action, live entertainment, fashion showcases, gourmet food experiences, and an array of engaging activations from event partners. For added convenience, onsite parking is available for R170 per vehicle.

For those seeking an elevated experience, the VIP hospitality packages provide exclusive access to luxurious enclosures, premium viewing areas, and top-tier catering. These options can be explored on the official event website (www.hollywoodbetsdurbanjuly.co.za). Please note that VIP hospitality packages do not include general admission tickets, which must be purchased separately via Ticketpro.

This year’s theme, “Marvels Of Mzansi”, was unveiled in late February, marking the official commencement of the Hollywoodbets Durban July Fashion Experience, presented by Durban Fashion Fair. The fashion programme includes the much-anticipated HDJ Young Designer Award, showcasing the best up-and-coming talents from KwaZulu-Natal. The winners will share the spotlight with the HDJ Invited Designers and DFF Rising Stars at the HDJ Fashion Preview Gala, set to take place at Gateway Theatre of Shopping in late June.

Racing enthusiasts can also look forward to the announcement of the first official entrants on Wednesday, 23 April 2025. With last year’s champion, Oriental Charm, emerging as the early ante-post favourite, excitement is already building. 

Secure your tickets today and experience Africa’s greatest horse racing and social event, the Hollywoodbets Durban July!