Latest news with #Grade1
IOL News
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Dean Kannemeyer's master plan steered The Real Prince to stunning Durban July victory
The Real Prince, ridden by Craig Zackey, was crowned king at Hollywoodbets Durban July in Greyville on Saturday. Photo: Leon Lestrade Independent Media Image: Leon Lestrade Independent Media In a thrilling display befitting his majestic name, The Real Prince captured the crown at the 129th running of the Hollywoodbets Durban July on Saturday at Greyville. The 18/1 shot delivered a performance that will be remembered for years to come and propelled master trainer Dean Kannemeyer to his fourth victory in South Africa's premier horse race. In front of an electric crowd at Greyville, the son of Gimmethegreenlight edged out race favourite Eight On Eighteen in a heart-stopping finish. After the race, Kannemeyer reflected on the strategy with a flicker of pride. 'You must come in at the right time with the right weight and the right draw — and we nailed it. This was always the plan.' 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 ✕ With a precisely executed strategy, The Real Prince surged ahead when it mattered most, overcoming a late charge from Eight On Eighteen to clinch the title. The finish left the crowd on the edge of their seats. The runner-up, trained by Justin Snaith, showcased fierce determination despite the narrow loss. A three-time Grade 1 winner, Eight On Eighteen had hoped to become the first three-year-old to win both the WSB Cape Met and the Durban July in the same season. Only five horses have achieved this prestigious double: Kommetdieding (2022), Igugu (2012), Pocket Power (2009), London News (1997), and Politician (1979). Winning jockey Craig Zackey was beaming as he reflected on his maiden Durban July triumph. 'It's incredible,' he exclaimed, giving credit to The Real Prince's class. 'I think if he had one run in between, he would have won a bit more comfortably, but there were no races that suited him, and we couldn't afford the penalty.' There had been concerns that The Real Prince might be under-raced for Saturday's showpiece, but strategic preparation proved key. 'Where were we going to place him? "The first time we tried him over a mile, he won by six lengths. Great run in the Drill Hall,' Kannemeyer added. 'If we ran him in the Gold Challenge and he came fourth, the handicapper is going to be looking for you. You must come in at the right time with the right weight — and we got the right draw.' The Real Prince propels trainer Dean Kannemeyer to his 4th @HWBDurbanJuly victory. The Real Prince proudly represented his lineage, outperforming Eight On Eighteen & honouring his family. An impeccable ride by jockey Craig Zackey. Congratulations to Khaya Stables. — Dean Kannemeyer Racing (@RaceKannemeyer) July 5, 2025
New Paper
05-07-2025
- Sport
- New Paper
July 6 South Africa (Turffontein) form analysis
Race 1 (1,400m) (3) EIGHT HATS did not go unnoticed in a Grade 1 over 1,200m last time, staying on well after early interference to be beaten a little over five lengths. On the evidence of that performance, she could have more to offer stretching out to this distance. (9) OPEN SESAME would have come on from her debut third in a 2YO fillies race over 1,160m at Turffontein, and should have a strong say in this. (1) ALTA CAPITANA was outrun late by (7) PRINCESS KEIRA over course and distance last time but should turn the tables on 2kg better terms. The latter is a Reserve Runner in a 2yo Grade 2 on HWB Durban July day. Race 2 (1,400m) This extended distance will likely favour (4) SHADOWFAX who is good value to confirm his superiority over (2) JAN VAN GOYEN whom he beat late by three parts of a length over 1,160m at Turffontein last time even if the latter is weighted to avenge that defeat on 3kg better terms. (1) BLIZZARD QUEST justified market support when stepped up in trip on his reappearance as a gelding at Greyville over 1,600m, and should have more to offer, even with the step back in trip. Mike and Adam Azzie's maiden (7) RADIO STAR, second in both starts over this course and distance, is not taken lightly in receipt of 3kg. Gavin Lerena sticking with him is a solid pointer. Race 3 (1,600m) (4) RADICCHIO had excuses for finishing behind that rival last time and deserves a reward for his consistency. (2) FIRE 'N FLAMES was outclassed in a KZN Grade 1 last month but will be more competitive at this level under these conditions. (6) SILENT WAR has a bit to find at the weights but is dangerous to discount under 50kg. (3) GIMMEANOTHERCHANCE has found form recently and another three-point drop in the ratings should stand him in good stead. Race 4 (1,000m) Promising 2yo (4) CONSTELLATION was not winning out of turn last time when fitted with a tongue-tie. With further headway, he could be leniently treated, so it could pay to follow his progress. Older rivals (2) IT'S PERSONAL and (3) HEMISPHERE are closely matched. Both have form and experience to test the youngster. Returning (1) SEA WOLF completes the shortlist. Race 5 (1,100m) (1) CHASING HAPPINESS and (8) WHISTLE THE TUNE acquitted themselves very well in a 1,200m Grade 1 five weeks ago. The latter finished a close-up fourth and 1.10 lengths ahead of her familiar foe who is 2.5kg better off. Both will play leading roles if reproducing those performances. Consistent (7) QUANTUM THEORY deserves to get his head in front after three consecutive runner-up finishes, while course-and-distance winner (6) DREAMLAND also has legitimate each-way credentials. Race 6 (1,800m) (2) WAR REPORTER sparked signs of improvement last time when finishing fourth having dropped slightly in the ratings. So another forward showing is expected off a slightly reduced mark. (6) ROSY LEMON should not be written off, especially over a distance she enjoys. She has been a real model of consistency. (3) FUTUREWOLFF and (5) FLAG BEARER are also consistent and versatile hard-knockers with the form and experience over this trip to trouble the selection. Race 7 (1,800m) (1) FIRE ATTACK ran second in a course-and-distance Grade 1 before beating older rivals en route to Grade 1 glory in March. Grade 3 Sea Cottage Stakes is up his alley. (3) CHOISAANADA is bidding to complete the Highveld's 3yo Winter Series clean sweep. On the evidence of his first and second leg victories over HWB Durban July runners Immediate Edge and Confederate, he could be better suited to this extended distance. (4) KAMENSKY is a mile specialist who has always held his own in this type of company. There is no reason why he cannot handle the rise in distance by another 200m. (6) PUMPKIN PIE is another progressive sort who is not without a say in this.
Irish Daily Mirror
02-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Oisin Murphy to ride in €636,000 race day after court appearance
Oisin Murphy is booked to ride in the Belmont Derby Invitational Stakes on Friday - and is set to jet off to America shortly after appearing in court. The Kerry jockey is to appear at Reading Magistrates' Court on Thursday on charges of drink driving and failing to take a roadside test after a car crash in April. Murphy was charged by postal requisition on June 19 with one count of driving a motor vehicle while over the prescribed limit of alcohol and one count of failing to co-operate with a preliminary test at the roadside by Thames Valley Police. The charge is in connection with a single vehicle road traffic collision at about 12.05am on April 27 when a grey Mercedes A Class left the road and crashed into a tree in Hermitage, West Berkshire, the force said. Murphy has been booked to partner New Century for owners Qatar Racing, who the British champion jockey is retained rider for, in the Grade 1 at Saratoga on Friday. The $750,000 (€636,000) contest is run over 1m1f and has a post time of 10.45pm Irish time. Murphy rode New Century in all seven of his starts when he was trained in the UK by Andrew Balding. He also steered the three-year-old to Grade 1 success in Canada last September when winning the Summer Stakes at Woodbine. New Century has since moved to American trainer Brendan Walsh and finished third on stable debut under Irad Ortiz Jr in the Grade 1 American Turf Stakes back in May. Murphy has ridden more winners than any other jockey in the UK this year and leads the jockeys championship with 55 victories. He rode five winners at Royal Ascot last month. The British Horseracing Authority said in a statement after the announcement of the charges: "The BHA is aware of an update issued by Thames Valley Police this afternoon regarding Mr Oisin Murphy. "We are now seeking to gather as much information as possible in order to consider what, if any, implications there are as a result of this development." Murphy has four rides at Thirsk on Wednesday, but isn't in the saddle on Thursday, the day he is due in court. He will return to England from the States for six rides at Sandown on Saturday, including Almaqam in the Group 1 Coral-Eclipse.
Irish Daily Mirror
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Tributes paid to legendary horse and much loved member of RTE Racing's team
Tributes have been paid to one of the most popular horses of the past two decades — who has sadly passed away at the age of 21. Gorgeous grey Thousand Stars was trained by Willie Mullins and won thirteen of his 80 races, four of them coming in Grade 1 company. He earned over €1.4 million in prize money for his owners, the Hammer & Trowel Syndicate, who also owned legendary mare and record breaking six-time Cheltenham Festival heroine Quevega. Indeed Thousand Stars' most memorable success came at the Cheltenham Festival in 2010 when he captured the County Hurdle under Katie Walsh. It began a long and successful partnership with Walsh, the pair winning three times in total, while he also finished behind the legendary Hurricane Fly in Grade 1s on a number of occasions. Following his retirement from racing Thousand Stars in 2016 became an important member of the raceday team for RTE. He and Katie Walsh teamed up during the post-race interviews of jockeys when Walsh would be on board the grey. Back in January Walsh spoke of their partnership on RTE with him saying: 'He's taken to that like a duck to water. He's like having another professional, he's such an easy horse to do anything with.' He was also used by Horse Racing Ireland to showcase part of their retired racehorse activation programme with Walsh adding: 'He's got such a kind heart to humans and to other people around the yard with kids around. He loves attention and there's no mean to him. He's just a pleasure to have around the place.' 'Horses are like humans - you could have a good athlete who is not a very nice person. He just was a good racehorse and he's just a very nice horse as well. His racing career and television career led to him becoming hugely popular and he was also a regular at the Dublin Horseshow in the RDS each year, where he competed on a number of occasions. A number of people took to X (formally Twitter) to pay their tributes to Thousand Stars with one post saying 'Rest easy & thank you Thousand Stars.' A post from @Racing_KLR read: 'Heartbroken to hear that @katiewalsh9 magnificent grey Thousand Stars has gone to the big track in heaven, he was a fav of my Mum, so she will get to see him again.' Following Thousand Star's retirement in 2016, Walsh herself paid tribute by saying: 'He was just a favourite of everyone. I got to ride him in so many Grade 1s and the day I won the County Hurdle on him at Cheltenham was really special. It was like he had joined in halfway up the home straight and he won really well. "I won a handicap hurdle on him in the fog at Fairyhouse one day and I suppose we thought he would probably be a decent handicapper. We never imagined he would end up being such a star. 'Everybody loves a grey and he seemed to capture the public's imagination. To be honest, he was probably unlucky to be around at the same time as Hurricane Fly and would have won even more races had Hurricane Fly not been around.' He began his career in France and joined the Mullins team in 2009 and the last of his 80 races was at Tipperary in July 2016. The son of Grey Risk was an important horse for Carlow trainer Mullins too in a period when his dominance wasn't as strong as it is today. He said on his retirement: 'He was an iron horse. He was tough and sound. He never showed off at home. You would never see him do a flashy piece of work but he saved everything for the track. He was a favourite of everyone in the yard and had his own style of running.'
UPI
16-06-2025
- Sport
- UPI
Royal Ascot looms after a weekend of big races from France to Japan
1 of 2 | Meisho Tabaru wins Sunday's Grade 1 Takarazuka Kinen at Hanshin Racecourse, earning "Win and You're In" spots in both the Breeders' Cup Turf at Del Mar and the W.S. Cox Plate in Australia. Photo by and courtesy of Katsumi Saito June 16 (UPI) -- The Royal Ascot started taking firm shape this weekend even as the winners were cooling out from Sunday's "Win and You're In" qualifiers for the Breeders' Cup Turf, the W.S. Cox Plate and the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. Back in the States, some potentially late-blooming 3-year-olds took steps forward at Monmouth Park and Delaware Park. And Motorious started off his 7-year-old season with another convincing win. Oh boy! Royal Ascot. Around the world, around the clock Royal Ascot The five-day Royal meeting gets underway Tuesday, starting with a bang in the form of the Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes. It's worth setting the alarm clock, as familiar foes Rosalion, Dancing Gemini, Lead Artist and Notable Speech top a quality field for the straight one-mile test. Also in the field is the first big American hope, Carl Spackler. The 5-year-old multiple Grade 1 winner, trained by Ciaron Maher, exits a win in the Grade I Maker's Mark Mile at Keeneland in April and has been prepping at Saratoga. Also on the Tuesday card are the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes at 5 furlongs, the Group 1 St. James's Palace Stakes for 3-year-olds at 1 mile and the Group 2 Coventry Stakes for 2-year-olds. Wednesday's traditional feature is the Group 1 Prince of Wales's Stakes. A flock of retirements has left the Thursday centerpiece, the Group 1Ascot Gold Cup, a bit more open than in recent years. On Friday, it's the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup for 3-year-olds at 6 furlongs and the Group 1 Coronation Cup for 3-year-old fillies. The final Group 1, the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes, wraps things up on Saturday. Japan Meisho Tabaru scored a front-running upset win in Sunday's Grade 1 Takarazuka Kinen at Hanshin Racecourse, turning back a late challenge by the favorite, Bellagio Opera, and running on to win by 3 lengths. The 4-year-old son of Gold Ship earned "Win and You're In" spots in both the Group 1 W.S. Cox Plate in Australia and the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Turf. Sadly, lacking a time machine he's not going to contest both, as the Cox Plate is Oct. 25 and the Breeders' Cup is Nov. 1. Meisho Tabaru, last seen finishing fifth in the Group 1 Dubai Turf in April, benefitted from jockey Yutaka Take's decision to go for the lead and see how far he could go. "I knew the other horses were going to make their bid early but my mount had good momentum going around the fourth corner and I was hoping that he would manage to push through," the veteran rider said. France Gezora rallied to the lead inside the 100-meter mark in Sunday's Group 1 Prix de Diane or French Oaks at Chantilly and held safe a late charge by Bedtime Story to win by 1 length. Gezora, an Almanzor filly racing for Peter Brant's White Birch Farm, scored her fourth win following a victory in the Group 2 Prix Saint-Alary at Longchamp on May 11. Bedtime Story, a Frankel filly, won her first four starts last season for trainer Aidan O'Brien, but had been up the course in three intervening starts. The race now is a "Win and You're In" for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in October and Gezora's odds accordingly were whacked down for that race. Meanwhile, back in the States The 3-year-olds Bracket Buster returned to form, and then some, in Saturday's $150,000 NYRA Pegasus Stakes at Monmouth Park. The Vekoma colt, trained by Vickie Oliver, finished second in the Grade III Lexington at Keeneland two starts back but then finished seventh in an optional claimer at Churchill Downs on Derby Day. In the Pegasus, he dueled for the lead, then took over and won off by 7 lengths. Admiral Dennis took a big step forward in Saturday's $200,000 Delaware Derby at Delaware Park, stalking the pace before kicking away to win by 3 1/4 lengths over Barbadian Runner. On the Triple Crown trail, he finished sixth in the Grade II Rebel at Oaklawn Park after a slow start, then finished fourth in the Grade I Blue Grass at Keeneland. Classic / Dirt Mile Bishops Bay rolled smoothly over a sloppy Monmouth Park track to win Saturday's $150,000 Grade III Salvator Mile be new Steven y 5 lengths over Nelson Avenue. The 5-year-old son of Uncle Mo improved to seven wins and three seconds from 10 starts despite a 17-month, mid-career interruption. Since returning from that hiatus, he's 5-for-6. The 3-year-old fillies Fondly returned from a 13th place showing in the Kentucky Oaks, her first career loss, to win Saturday' $300,000 Grade III Delaware Oaks by 3 lengths after leading from the early going. The favorite, Margie's Intention, started last of nine and came on late to finish second. On Saturday at Churchill Downs, Take Charge Milady engaged in a tight stretch duel with odds-on favorite Immersive in the $175,000 Monomoy Girl Stakes for 3-year-old fillies with Take Charge Milady prevailing by a neck at the wire. Immersive, last year's Breeders' Cup and Eclipse Award 2-year-old filly champ, entered undefeated in four previous starts. Distaff Majestic Oops, shipped in from Oaklawn Park, drew off from four rivals in the stretch run of Saturday's $150,000 Lady's Secret Stakes at Monmouth Park and won by 4 1/2 lengths over the favorite, Occult. Malibu Beauty led all the way to a 3-length score in Saturday's $150,000 Obeah Stakes at Delaward Park. Sprint Full Moon Madness enjoyed a bit of class relief in Saturday's $100,000 Alapocas Run Stakes at Delaware Park. The 5-year-old Into Mischief gelding came with a late surge to catch Buccherino and win by a neck. Turf Vote No got the thumbs up in Saturday's $200,000 Cape Henlopen Stakes at Delaware Park. The 4-year-old Divisidero gelding had some rough going early and raced well back in the field but swung four-wide into the lane and made up all the ground to win by 3/4 length over Harrow. Redistricting, the odds-on favorite, led virtually all the way to a 5-length victory in Saturday's $150,000 Monmouth Stakes. Rebel Red won Saturday's $200,000 Chorleywood Stakes at Churchill Downs by 2 lengths. And Nitti came from last of five to win Sunday's 1 3/4-miles Grade III San Juan Capistrano at Santa Anita by 2 1/2 lengths. Filly & Mare Turf Mrs. Astor, the odds-on favorite, had all she could do to handle long shot Mahina in the closing stages of Saturday's $100,000 Possibly Perfect Stakes at Santa Anita. Both rallied from behind a moderate pace set by Kentucky Gal but Mrs. Astor got the better trip and won by a nose. Whiskey Decision, returning from seven months on the sidelines, won Saturday's $150,000 Grade III Eatontown Stakes at Monmouth Park by 2 lengths over the favorite Maggie Go. Turf Sprint Motorious kicked off his 7-year-old season with a convincing 1 1/4-length victory in Saturday's $100,000 Grade III Daytona Stakes at Santa Anita. The British-bred Muhaarar gelding, second in last year's Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint, swung outside rivals crossing the dirt track, rallied by the leaders and drove home first by 1 1/2 length. He's won three of his last four starts going back to last August. Gata Brazil won Sunday's $100,000 Stormy Blues Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Laurel Park by a nose over the pacesetting favorite, Roja. Super Chow took Sunday's off-the-turf $100,000 Get Serious Stakes at Monmouth Park by 1 3/4 lengths.
