Latest news with #ChampionsSeason
The Citizen
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
KZN trainers strike back
Stuart Ferrie and Gareth van Zyl cap good season for locals. There was plenty of hot action at Greyville at the weekend. Picture: Gallo Images Gold Cup day highlighted an interesting trend of the 2025 Champions Season in KwaZulu-Natal: a re-emergence into the spotlight of the host province's training yards. Stuart Ferrie and Gareth van Zyl ended the season on a triumphant note at Greyville on Sunday, saddling Gladatorian and King Pelles to victory in two of South Africa's pre-eminent races – the HKJC Champions Cup and the World Pool Gold Cup respectively. Ferrie, Van Zyl and their compatriots have given KwaZulu-Natal racing its best winter for ages – fighting back against the powerful Western Cape and Highveld stables who had been carrying off most of the season's abundant loot for decades. An unlikely ally in the fightback has been from the Eastern Cape backwaters – Fairview ace trainer Alan Greeff, who landed three KZN features (two Grade 1s and a Grade 2) with his raiders. When Peter Muscutt won the East Coast Cup (Listed) with a filly called Mascerina at a soggy Greyville on 3 May – the first day of the famed Champions Season – no-one saw it a harbinger of bigger things to come for his fellow local yokels. Yet, in the next race on the card, Ferrie sent out his stable star Gladatorian to land the Drill Hall Stakes (Grade 2) – just ahead of Summerveld neighbours Michael Roberts and See It Again. The following week, Selukwe won the WSB 1900 at Greyville. Though carded under Cape-based Andre Nel's name, Selukwe had been resident at Summerveld for some time and prepared there by satellite assistant conditioner Byron Foster. It was business as usual as the Guineas, Daily News, Woolavington and Golden Horse trophies all shipped to Cape Town, but the hegemony was disrupted by the man from Gqeberha, Greeff, who won the Grade 1 Alan Robetson Championship with Direct Hit. Then Durban's Frank Robinson won the Cup Trial with Madison Valley, Van Zyl the Tote Derby with King Pelles and Alyson Wright the Tote Oaks with She's A Bomber. KZN Breeders' Day was almost a KZN clean sweep, with Ferrie, Doug Campbell, the Moores and the Hills leading in feature winners. The biggest prize, the Hollywoodbets Durban July, eluded KZN yet again, but Ferrie and Van Zyl had feature success on the day with, respectively, I Am Giant in the Grade 2 Post Merchants and King Pelles in the Grade 3 Gold Vase – as did Greeff with Anotherdancefor me in the Grade 2 Golden Slipper. Then it was Gold Cup day and the glories mentioned above. Also, Greeff snatched the Grade 1 Douglas Whyte Thekwini Stakes with shooting star Golden Palm. To round things off, Muscutt, who had started the KZN run, won the Listed Darley Arabian with appropriately named I Salute You. It's too soon to talk of an ongoing renaissance for KwaZulu-Natal training yards, but they certainly have had a major fillip in terms of big-race results. The winning mood could be a result of optimism and positive thinking brought about by the financial salvation job by Hollywood in the province. An economic boost can do that.
IOL News
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Eight On Eighteens' victorious gallop in the Daily 2000 Grade 1 race at Hollywoodbets Greyville
Daily News' editor Ayanda Mdluli presents jockey Richard Fourie with an award for his winning ride on board Eight On Eighteen in the Grade 1 Daily News 2000 race at the Hollywoodbets Greyville Racecourse on Saturday. Image: Leon Lestrade/Independent Media ANOTHER segment of KwaZulu-Natal's programme of horseracing in winter, also known as the Champions Season, galloped to life on Saturday with the running of the Grade 1 Daily News 2000, which drew a large gathering of punters and socialites to the Hollywoodbets Greyville Racecourse. From the moment the entry gates opened early on Saturday, the atmosphere was electric. Fans eagerly placed their bets and anticipated an afternoon of world-class racing. The highlight of the day was the main race, where Eight On Eighteen, a horse owned by Nick Jonsson and trained by Justin Snaith, galloped to victory and drew a roar of approval from the crowd. The win marked a significant milestone for all involved and highlighted the event's continued legacy of excellence in the South African horse racing calendar. Looking dapper in a blue suit, the Daily News' editor, Ayanda Mdluli, took to the podium to hand over the trophies to the triumphant jockey. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ In an interview before the big event, Mdluli reflected on the significance of the occasion and expressed his gratitude to those who made it possible. 'As the Daily News editor, I am proud to be part of this prestigious event. I would like to thank everyone who has supported me, especially my mother, and of course, our loyal readers. We've recently launched the new Berliner-formatted Daily News, and the response has been phenomenal,' said Mdluli. The main race commenced promptly at 15:18, triggering a surge of excitement throughout the racecourse. Punters rose to their feet, clutching tickets, shouting the names of their favourite horses as the action unfolded on the turf. An elated Jonsson expressed his appreciation for the Daily News' long-standing partnership with the event. 'It's incredibly exciting that Eight On Eighteen clinched the main race. We're grateful to the Daily News association with this event for 20 years. It's a wonderful experience to own a share in a winning horse, and now we're focusing on preparing our horses for the Durban July,' said Jonsson. The winning jockey, Richard Fourie, shared on his emotional connection with the horse and his pride in the result.
New Paper
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New Paper
Chip and putt for Eight On Eighteen
DURBAN - Always a guiding light as to the chances of three-year-old males going into the Grade 1 Hollywoodbets Durban July (2,200m), this year's 2 million rand (S$144,000) Grade 1 Daily News 2000 (2,000m) at Greyville (at 9.12pm Singapore time) looks to be at first glance something of a Justin Snaith/Nick Jonsson benefit. Snaith saddles four of the seven runners with three of them, including the 1-2 ante-post favourite Eight On Eighteen, carrying the Jonsson silks. The presence of the Lancaster Bomber colt in the field has likely scared off much of the opposition given that finishing in close proximity to the four-time winner would see their handicap ratings ramped up, but Mike and Mathew de Kock have risen to the challenge with their filly Spumante Dolce. Regular partner Richard Fourie will ride Eight On Eighteen who arrived in KZN for South Africa's Champions Season after wins in the Grade 1 Cape Met (2,000m) and Grade 1 Cape Derby (2,000m). He made his debut in the Grade 2 Guineas (1,600m) and fell just short of catching stable companion Sail The Seas, with Muzi Yeni pinching a break on Eight On Eighteen who was finishing best of all, a win possibly thwarted by a difficult passage at the top of the straight. It was an excellent effort by Eight On Eighteen over a distance now possibly short of his best. With experience on the course and back over an ideal trip, he is the worthy favourite. The de Kocks have spurned the Grade 2 Woolavington 2000 (2,000m) and are hunting Grade 1 glory for Spumante Dolce. She is currently 13th on the Durban July log and as a three-parts sister to the former de Kock-trained Durban July winner Sparkling Water, this trip should suit. The daughter of Vercingetorix was running on strongly when second in the Grade 2 Fillies Guineas (1,600m) at Greyville on May 3, and de Kock seldom runs no-hopers in feature company. Spumante Dolce would also be a first fairer-sex winner of the Daily News this century with fillies enjoying a purple patch with Roland's Song (1989), St Just (1990) and Star Effort (1991). However, Snaith has indicated that the Durban July is not an option cast in iron for Eight On Eighteen but rather the WFA Grade 1 Champions Cup (1,800m) at Greyville as well. On the other hand, stable companions Okavango and Native Ruler are both July entries, but will need to up their handicap ratings to make the field which may be what is behind Snaith's thinking. Okavango, the mount of Andrew Fortune, is currently joint-second favourite along with the Fabian Habib-trained Confederate at 6-1, but the son of Master Of My Fate is only merit-rated 105 although nine points up through a 3.2-length fourth behind Selukwe in the Grade 3 World Sports Betting 1900 (1,900m) at Greyville when carrying just 52kg. Having won three races from 1,600m to 1,800m, he will be suited by Saturday's 2,000m trip. If Okavango can finish within a reasonable distance of the 127-rated Eight On Eighteen, he will get a further rise in the ratings, possibly high enough to gain a July berth. The other joint-second favourite is the classy Confederate. The son of Fire Away won the Grade 1 SA Classic on the first day in March over 1,800m on the Turffontein standside track, beating subsequent Grade 1 WFA Premier's Champions Challenge (2,000m) winner and Highveld Horse of the Year, Fire Attack, another progeny of Fire Away. That he returns from a layoff of close to three months is a little concerning, but he has won four races and has yet to finish further back than second in eight starts. With Fire Attack sidelined with a hoof injury, Alec Laird has pinned his hopes on Grade 2 TAB Gauteng Guineas (1,600m) winner Parisian Walkway. Also a July entry, the son of Ideal World is the second highest-rated runner on 121. He likes to race handy which will give some hope of a decent gallop. However, Snaith's fourth entry, Makazole, racing in the Jonsson colours, may be sacrificed and given the role of pacemaker. The son of Trippi has won two races including the Listed Champion Juvenile Cup (1,400m) at Fairview but has yet to race beyond 1,400m. GOLD CIRCLE
IOL News
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Racing season opens with thrilling victory in R750 000 Independent On Saturday Gr2 Drill Hall Stakes
The Champions Season started with the running of the Independent On Saturday Gr2 Drill Hall Stakes at Hollywoodbets Greyville Racecourse on Saturday. Image: Leon Lestrade / Independent Newspapers. The atmosphere was electric at the Hollywoodbets Greyville Racecourse last Saturday as the 2025 Champions Season kicked off with the R750 000 Independent On Saturday Gr2 Drill Hall Stakes. The event attracted a vibrant crowd of fans, punters, and families, all eager to participate in this prestigious day of racing. Children enjoyed a range of free entertainment at KidZone, while adults livened up their experience at the Durban View Restaurant and participated in the thrilling Win if You Lose competitions that kept spirits high between the races. In a riveting 1400m race, the crowd roared as Gladatorian, the five-year-old son of Vercingetorix piloted by his usual jockey Sean Veale, rode to victory. The gelding triumphed over 11 formidable rivals, including last year's winner, Royal Aussie. Marketing and brand officer, Sinethemba Hlela, stated that The Independent on Saturday is proud of its ongoing relationship with Hollywoodbets Greyville and Gold Circle, which continues to grow. 'The Independent on Saturday Drill Hall Stakes is always an exciting highlight on our calendar, and we are thrilled to be part of the top-class racing this event brings,' she said. Graeme Hawkins from Gold Circle said Champions Season 2025 got off to a flying start last Saturday, with top-class racing and exciting finishes the order of the day. 'The traditional season-opener, the IOS Drill Hall Stakes, held over 1400m, produced a nail-biting finish between Gladatorian and See It Again, which set the tone for an outstanding day,' he said. Looking forward, Hawkins said the stage is set for a memorable Champions Season, with the R5 million Hollywoodbets Durban July being the highlight. 'At the first entry stage, 61 horses were nominated, including both Gladatorian and See It Again, and with the Daily News 2000 (Gr1) in two weeks' time, there is much anticipation amongst the racing fans,' he said. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Punter Raffiek Habib, 68, from Durban, who attends all the major races, recalled coming to the racecourse at the age of seven with his grandfather. 'I love horses running on this track; it's not about the money and gambling, it's about blueblood racing. The way horses are bred and the speed they have, it's exhilarating, and that's what I love about it. Although the jockey is on the horse getting that rush, I'm here, backing that horse and getting that same rush. The excitement is there,' he said. However, Habib said he did win some of the bets he placed and is looking forward to the season ahead.
IOL News
03-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Gladatorian triumphs in the R750 000 Independent On Saturday Gr2 Drill Hall Stakes
Trainer Stuart Ferrie with Gladatorian and his pilot Sean Veale together with co-owner Michel Nairac after the five-year-old gelding won the R750 000 Independent On Saturday Gr2 Drill Hall Stakes, held at the Hollywoodbets Greyville Racecourse. Image: Leon Lestrade / Independent Media The highly anticipated Champions Season kicked off to a flying start with Gladatorian emerging victorious in the R750 000 Independent On Saturday Gr2 Drill Hall Stakes, held at the Hollywoodbets Greyville Racecourse on Saturday. The annual race is the traditional curtain raiser to the Champions Season in KwaZulu-Natal. Last year, Gladatorian finished third, narrowly beaten by Royal Aussie and Cousin Casey. Consistent over the past year since the previous event, Gladatorian's regular jockey, Sean Veale, has always believed that the gelding has what it takes to win at the highest level. This year, the five-year-old son of Vercingetorix lined up against 11 quality rivals over 1 400m, including last year's winner Royal Aussie. Following the race, an ecstatic Veale could hardly contain his excitement as the pair made their way to the winners' circle for the awards ceremony. Commenting on Gladatorian's performance, Veale said: 'He can only do what we put in front of him. It was a good run from Mr Roberts's horse, and we will meet again in the mile. 'I still think I got there too early. He glided through them. I let him slide, and when I pressed him, he quickened. There is still meat on the bone as we couldn't really gallop him (with the rain).' Veale expressed gratitude for the victory, calling it a testament to the skills of trainer Stuart Ferrie. Ferrie said that he was bound to get lucky at some point. 'The luck was going to change, and thankfully, it was today. Very good ride from Sean as he got in a lovely position. Maybe the draw of being one off the fence helped. This horse was good enough for the win.' Co-owner Michel Nairac said this race was special for him because it ushered in the dawn of a new era with Hollywoodbets saving horseracing in KZN. 'To be able to open the season with a group 2 and have a share in the horse is absolutely wonderful. Stuart is a fantastic trainer, and Sean, what a ride. I'm blessed,' he said. Commenting on Gladatorian's performance, Nairac said the gelding's confidence started early in his training. He said a previous trainer pointed out that the horse had 'something special'. 'Well done to Stuart and Sean for bringing him through. I'm lost for words. Thank you to our sponsors today,' said Nairac. Fans can look forward to three months of action-packed feature racing. [email protected]
