Latest news with #Zackey
New Paper
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New Paper
The Real Prince claims the crown in Durban July
The Real Prince put his head down where it mattered and got up narrowly from favourite Eight On Eighteen in the Grade 1 five million rand (S$360,000) Hollywoodbets Durban July (2,200m) at Hollywoodbets Greyville on July 5, handing jockey Craig Zackey his maiden victory in South Africa's most prestigious race. Trained by Cape Town trainer Dean Kannemeyer - who has three previous Durban July successes to his name with Dynasty (2003), Eyeofthetiger (2006) and Power King (2015) - The Real Prince was given a gem of a ride by Zackey at his first Grade 1 race attempt. First-up after his last-start fourth in the Grade 2 Drill Hall Stakes (1,400m) on May 3, the Gimmethegreenlight four-year-old jumped smartly from gate 5 before Zackey sat him in midfield on the rails, trailing Grade 3 Dolphins Cup Trial (1,800m) winner Madison Valley (Gavin Lerena). Defending champion Oriental Charm (Juan Paul van der Merwe) made good use of barrier 1 to lead and stack up the speed in a bid to catch his rivals napping. Meanwhile, hot favourite Eight On Eighteen (Richard Fourie) slotted into sixth position after jumping from gate 11, just five lengths off the leader. Upon straightening, the Justin Snaith-trained star colt drew first blood, while The Real Prince ($81) was angled out by Zackey for his final assault after a patient rail-hugging ride. With Fourie throwing everything bar the kitchen sink at Eight On Eighteen and Zackey riding for dear life on The Real Prince, the two went to the line locked in battle. Eight On Eighteen would not cave in but in the end, it was The Real Prince who came out tops in a stirring finish, denying Eight On Eighteen's chance of making history and becoming the first three-year-old to win the Grade 1 WSB Cape Town Met (2,000m) and the Durban July in the same year. Selukwe (Serino Moodley) stormed home for third while Royal Victory (Muzi Yeni) finished fourth. Zackey was relieved that he had finally put behind him the bad memories of his last Durban July ride. The Gauteng-born hoop finished unplaced with another Kannemeyer-trained galloper, Green With Envy, in last year's edition. Green With Envy started as the favourite, but was well beaten by Oriental Charm. The dual Grade 1 winner was retired to stud in early 2025, shortly after one more dismal run. "It's incredible," he said to Gallop TV. "Green With Envy didn't have the best of run after the (Grade 1) Daily News (2,000m). He got injured and it felt like I was carrying the world on his shoulders and the pressure just got to both of us. "He went wrong after the race and I just haven't let it down for a year, so I carried it with me in a cool tone coming here today and that pressure is well off now. "If he (The Real Prince) had one more run in between, I think he would have been a bit more comfortable. But I knew he was the best horse in the race and I just knew if he stays, he's hard to beat." Owned by breeder and owner Lady Christine Laidlaw of Khaya Stables, The Real Prince silenced doubters about his staying ability. Out of Grade 1 winner Real Princess - who was bought by former racecaller and racing manager Jehan Malherbe for Lady Laidlaw - he also has an older full brother Gimme A Prince, who was a three-time Grade 1-winning sprinter in South Africa. "We know his family so well and this was a team effort by everyone," said Kannemeyer, who also won the Durban July with Power King for Lady Laidlaw in 2015. "This is the second July I've trained for Lady Laidlaw and she's been a great supporter of my yard. "I remember buying Real Princess in the Cape Premier Yearling sale. When we bought her, Jehan said with that pedigree, she is going to go a mile without a doubt, or maybe further, and we were banking on that stamina with this horse (The Real Prince) because he's a completely relaxed horse. "The first time we tried him over a mile (in the Listed Jet Master Stakes over 1,600m at Kenilworth on Feb 22), he won by six lengths. "He ran a big race in the Drill Hall, and if we'd gone to the (Grade 1) Gold Challenge (1,600m) and run fourth, the handicappers would've been looking for you. "You've got to land at the right time and the right place, and we've got the right draw, so it was fantastic." sharonzhang@
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Hundreds turn out for Walk MS event at Outer Harbor
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Hundreds of people braved the cool, wet weather on Saturday to provide a brighter future for those living with multiple sclerosis. Walk MS, which has raised over $1 billion for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society's mission to cure the disease, kicked off in a new location this year at the Outer Harbor. Mike Calandra, who was diagnosed with MS six years ago when he was 24, was honored this year. 'I definitely feel blessed,' Calandra said. 'There's a lot of people that are here that have MS that would make great honorees as well. I don't take it lightly that they chose me and I feel very fortunate.' It was Kimberly Zackey's 10th year participating after she was diagnosed in 2012. 'Since there's so many things with MS that are out of my control, I thought fundraising efforts and bringing people together for this cause is something that we can do,' Zackey said. 'Just like with MS, ups and downs — some days it's sunny, some days it's rainy. But we're all here and I appreciate everyone coming out and being together.' Organizers said Walk MS is the biggest fundraiser of the year for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, which has funded the research behind every major breakthrough in treating the disease of the central nervous system. 'I always use this as an opportunity to put out there all about MS, what it is, what we can do about it and not to hide behind the diagnosis, but celebrate it and know that we're all going to be OK if we work together,' Zackey said. Western New York has a very high rate of MS. The event provides community and hope for those affected by the disease. 'Any disease, but maybe MS especially, can be a little isolating, so to come here and have this community camaraderie with people that love and want to help you makes all the difference,' said Andy Yates, president of the Upstate Chapter of the National MS Society. 'It's empowering. It shows me in my own life that I'm capable of anything,' said Sarah Nicoletti, who was walking in support of her friend. 'If these people can overcome this, they're like leaders to me.' WIVB News 4 has been a longtime supporter of Walk MS and after 37 years of being emcee, Jacquie Walker told the crowd this is her final year in that role. She introduced Marlee Tuskes as the emcee of Walk MS 2026. Sarah Minkewicz is an Emmy-nominated reporter and Buffalo native who has been a part of the News 4 team since 2019. Follow Sarah on Twitter @SarahMinkewicz and click here to see more of her work. *** Jacquie Walker is an award-winning anchor and reporter who has been part of the News 4 team since 1983. See more of her work here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
