Gareth Wright – Two brilliant contrasting rides in August

There was a time when Durbanville Racecourse had a reputation for being receptive to horses who were frontrunners. Trainers would specifically prepare their runners giving their frontrunners a rest in the summer season, bringing them back to Kenilworth for two runs after the rest, so that they would be ready when racing switched to Durbanville.

That was then. Durbanville has since been revamped, the course was cambered, and the drainage was improved. The straight was lengthened slightly, and horses could now spread across the entire width of the straight to make their respective runs. Therefore, jockeys would have to use their judgement, split second decision making and expertise during the new and improved Durbanville racing seasons.

In the month of August Gareth Wright did just that. He rode two horses, the first where he came from last into the straight, down the outside rail, bobbed and weaved to bring his mount into the clear to make a sustained winning run and to get up in the shadow of the post to beat a competitive field. The second was jumping from a double-digit draw, making use of his filly in positive fashion to get her to the front as they made the turn for home. He then angled her out to maintain a relentless gallop down the centre of the racetrack to win in facile fashion.

Allez Moris had a stellar beginning to his career. After winning his Maiden, the stable sent him to Fairview to run in a listed race where he finished a close third to Khaya’s Hope. His merit rating was pushed up to a 93. He then ran in a Grade 2 finishing just over five lengths off Cousin Casey and was sent to Gauteng where he lost his form completely. In three runs, he finished last, third last and second last, double-digit lengths off the winners. The stable, in conjunction with his owner Mauritian based Mr Gujadhur, decided to rest him for nine months to reinvigorate him and bring back his zest for racing after the Vet had reported in his last run in Gauteng that he had returned fatigued.

The rest was just what he required, as coming back from the nine-month layoff he has run out of the top four only once, winning twice in that run of form. In March at Kenilworth, ridden by Richard Fourie, he finished strongly coming with a sustained run on the summer course straight to win going away. He had stalked the pace and when set alight at the top of the straight ran on strongly all the way to the line beating the Lucinda Woodruff trained Katzu by just under two lengths.

Allez Moris wins at Kenilworth in March 2024

Allez Moris low flying at Durbanville

Mon Petit Cherie beaten by Maritzburg Memory at Kenilworth

Ridden with confidence, Gareth bounced from the wide draw, utilising her early gate speed to move her across to the rail after the field had covered 200M.He gave her a breather as the field negotiated the bend, allowing her to use her stride as he negotiated a passage down the centre of the racetrack down the Durbanville straight. She continued to gallop relentlessly as the field entered the last 200M and with none of the field making inroads on her lead, Gareth had the luxury of a glance over the shoulder before gearing her down just short of the line to cruise in under the hands.

Mon Petit Cherie confidently handled by Gareth Wright wins Maiden

Take A Bow Gareth Wright.

Murugasa Family – Two Winners for the Day

He jumped well, Kabelo using his early gate speed to overcome the draw of nine to take the lead as the field negotiated the bend. At the top of the straight Kabelo pushed the button and the acceleration was immediate as he continued to gallop strongly to hit the line full of running to win unextended by just under five lengths.

Captain West wins Maiden impressively

She jumped well and had that good gate speed to click through the gears as soon as the starter had hit the button. She relaxed beautifully as the field negotiated the bend, just continuing to gallop as the field entered the straight.

The Preshalin Murugasa owned Festival Chic was still going under the hands and she was geared down slightly just before the line to win by just over a length. It was a particularly good win by the filly, who is a year younger than her stable companion who finished second.

Festival Chic gives the Murugasa family a double on the day 

As a close-knit family, they obviously have an affinity for the Sport of Kings, using their hard earned Rands to continue to support the thouroughbred industry. Any person/partnership or family who continues to do this every year as they do, deserves to reap the rewards of their contributions to the Sport we all enjoy watching and following daily.

BSA Bloodstock Two-Year-old Sale – A Summary

The average price per horse rose by more than R35,000 to R281,912 versus last year’s sales. The highest bid over the two days was R2.8-million, made by owner Rakesh Singh for the standout colt Torremolinos, sired by Vercingetorix and out of the champion race mare Alboran Sea. This colt is set to join trainer Tienie Prinsloo’s Summerveld yard.

The Woodruff family, long associated with local racing success, was also active. Trainer Lucinda Woodruff bought lots for R750,000 and R500,000, while Timothy Woodruff acquired seven horses at marginally lower prices. Geoff Woodruff, a multiple champion trainer, has recently returned from abroad to assist his daughter Lucinda with her continually burgeoning stable.

The leading sire was Vercingetorix from Maine Chance Farms, with 15 lots averaging R923,333 each. Champion sire Gimmethegreenlight followed, with 10 lots averaging R767,500 each. New sires One World, Hawwaam, and Danon Platina also ranked in the top 10 for aggregate sales. Mary Slack’s Wilgerbosdrift was the leading vendor, surpassing 2023’s top breeder, Varsfontein of the Kalmanson family.

Current and prospective owners can now also look forward to the CRS March Premier Sale. This Sales day will align with the newly implemented Cape Racing Festival Sales Day. It is a newly introduced event that will feature high-value races with stakes ranging from R6.5 million to R10 million over the first three years. This event will cover various age groups and is designed to complement the new CRS March Premier Sale. Together, these events will create a unique racing and sales festival in South Africa.

The current Cape Summer Season Of Champions features already includes –

• Cape Punters Cup – November 26, 2024
• Cape Fillies Guineas – December 7, 2024
• Cape Guineas – December 14, 2024
• Cape Merchants – December 21, 2024
• L’Ormarins King’s Plate – January 6, 2025
• Cape Town MET – January 27, 2025

These events are to be held at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth and Hollywoodbets Durbanville racecourses. The festival will extend the Cape Summer Season, adding an additional festival race meeting to the five months of continuous high-quality racing in Cape Town. This initiative by the Cape Racing Sales team aims to elevate the racing experience and attract more enthusiasts to the Cape Summer Season of Champions.

BSA – Crawford Racing

Jackson, Thunder Dance, Elusive Gold and Futura were the stars on the racetracks for Crawford Racing of yesteryear. Today the stars are Oriental Charm, Surjay and Winchester Mansion. The stars of tomorrow might be in a box in the stable or might be on the breeding farm yet to be bought by the owners who put up their hand and purchase those future equine superstars. Who would not want to experience that rush of adrenalin as their horse wins the Cape Town Met, the Durban July or the Summer Cup.

At the recent BSA Bloodstock Two Year Old Sale, these self-same owners paid some eye watering prices for the privilege of hoping to one day experience that thrill of winning one of the feature races on the South African horseracing calendar. Crawford Racing was privileged to receive support from some of the foremost owners in South Africa including the Murugasa Family and Durban July winners Greg Bortz and Gina Goldsmith.

The Murugasa Family (JASM Solutions) purchased seven two-year-olds for a combined total of R5.7 Million. Their top purchase was the very striking son of Gimmethegreenlight Go Johnny Go. By virtue of his R2M price tag, he will attract an elevated amount of interest when he makes his debut. He is a very striking colt, and if those looks translates into ability, Jo Johnny Go could be anything and is one for the proverbial Black Book.

Greg Bortz and Gina Goldsmith acquired two horses to be stabled with Crawford Racing. The first is a filly out of Secretariat Stakes winner Lance (sired by Jet Master), the beautifully named Rose Bowl. She cost R150 000.

The second was also a filly out of Crawford Racing former superstar Futura, bred by Drakenstein Stud she went under the hammer for R300 000 and is named April Fools’ Day.

ASSM Racing bought two horses, both going to James in Gauteng, a filly by the United States and a filly sired by Heavenly Blue named Rockie Blue.

The final two were purchased by Crawford Racing and Kremlin Racing, a filly sired by superstar Hawwaam and a colt out of Vercingetorix.