Mark van Deventer International champions, Winx and Arrogate experienced mixed fortunes in their weekend races. The Aussie mare blew the start yet produced an extraordinary turn of foot to win the Warwick Stakes for her 18th straight victory, but Arrogate duffed it when beat by stable mate Collected in the Grade 1 Pacific Classic at
Mark van Deventer Trainer Dan Katz is back on the scoreboard virtually three decades after turning in his license. The 52 year-old Western Cape conditioner saddled Gimmethegreenlight filly, Lalena to win her Maiden at Kenilworth in his new role as businessman Hassen Adam’s trainer. Katz has been promoted to take responsibility for Adams’ string
The Cape Racing and Breeding Awards for 2017 were held at Molenvliet Estate on Wednesday night with due recognition accorded to deserving nominees. The ceremony is an important precursor to the upcoming National Equus Awards – yet given that 24 of 28 Grade 1 winners and 18 of the top 20 breeders hail from
Mark van Deventer Jockey Bernard Fayd’ Herbe is on the disabled list for about a month as he gives an injured shoulder time to heal. The shoulder had been troubling him for a while and he did not have vigorous use of his arm as a result – a recent MRI scan revealed a
Come-back jockey Piet Botha’s victory salute and shout of triumph going past the post on Jay Rock provided the most uplifting image at an otherwise gloomy and rain- soaked Kenilworth on Saturday. Botha has been out of race riding since 2010 with injuries and nerve damage to his upper body that bewildered medical specialists.
Founder of the Virgin empire, Richard Branson believes in giving manager’s and staff multiple chances. He felt fortunate to have benefitted from being gifted many opportunities to redeem himself, so has passed on that forgiving philosophy to encourage growth and bold performance amongst staff. In the same vein, Cape based jockey Piet Botha is
There were some fantastic performances on Classic Day with Legal Eagle (speed score 115) yet again proving that he is about as good as racehorses get in South Africa when romping in the Grade 1 Horse Chestnut Stakes. The son of Grey's Inn repeatedly runs high class figs in the band between 112-116 and is
Grant van Niekerk joins Plattner Racing Mark van Deventer Cape jockey Grant van Niekerk, who lost his job with Bass Racing, will soon be joining Andre Nel as their contracted rider. Nel is the conditioner who takes responsibility for owner Sabine Plattner’s string of thoroughbreds. Van Niekerk was deflated after the powerful Candice Bass Robinson
“Oh, the places you will go...” Mark van Deventer South African star racehorse, Whisky Baron, bred by the Arrowfield Group and purchased in Australia, is now set to embark on another overseas adventure, going in to quarantine soon via Mauritius. The precise racing itinerary is still to be finalised in collaboration between the Kieswetter family’s
Western Cape trainer Adam Marcus currently has his string in fine fettle, with five wins and the same number of seconds from the last 30 horses sent out. Punters in tune with Marcus’ hot streak of form were rewarded again yesterday when heavily backed favourites, Prince Alfred and Elegancia got the job done at Kenilworth.