The Cape Racing and Breeding Awards were held during the week at the beautiful Molenvliet Estate in the Stellenbosch winelands. What follows is a list of the winners in the various categories together with their best speed figures from the past season. This gives an idea of what it takes to come out on
Dodgy Itie won the Flamingo Mile on Saturday earning a figure of 95, which is about as good as it gets in Kimberley. Formerly with Shane Humby in the Cape until November 2014, this son of Latino Magic has performed admirably since relocating North. He has struck up a close affinity with Marco
Sail South (speed score 109) tracked, then passed Brett Crawford trained stable mate, Captain America (s/s 107) to win his first Grade 1, The Champions Cup , just before turning seven years old. This was a deserved reward for the very game and consistent Sail From Seattle gelding who has placed at this
Progeny of Silvano have been doing tremendously and Silvan Star (speed score 105) continued that positive trend. She won the Grade 3 Final Fling Stakes at Kenilworth, following up on her victory in the Ladies Mile in June. Very consistent with six wins from 14 starts and a number of placings to her
I'm taking a brief break from cranking out speed figures, with a chance to reflect on how racing is changing. Old timers who enjoyed socialising on course and darting between the bookies'gold and silver rings understandably fret about bleak attendances, yet it's never been easier to get a bet on, and the flow of
Bull Valley staked a claim to be honoured at the top of the sprint division when winning the Grade 1 Mercury at Greyville on Saturday. This was a reprise of the quality son of Toreador also beating Search Party in the Grade 1 Tsogo Sun at Scotsville. Bull Valley started off his career
One of the most important attributes any turf champion possesses is the ability to finish powerfully. Marinaresco has that quality, using awesome acceleration to nail Al Sahem on the wire and win the 2017 Durban July. A tough beat second last year, Marinaresco carried top weight to avenge that loss with a stunning
African Night Sky made a powerful move down the rail under Bernard Fayd Herbe to sweep the Winter Series at Kenilworth. He really is a very good horse, quickening up to pulverise the opposition in the Highlands Stud Winter Derby and repeat a feat achieved by the legendary, Pocket Power. The son of
Mr Winsome (speed score 100) won the "so-called" Derby at Scottsville, open to older horses, to follow up on his figure of 103 in the Greyville 1900 and try stake a claim in the July field. He is one of the fringe contenders to make the line up, after outduelling Sun on Africa (s/s
Captain America (speed score 110) is a truly high class and consistent galloper who garnered another well deserved Group 1 when winning the Gold Challenge at Greyville. He has a long stride pattern and is most effective pressing a strong pace. He was rather headstrong earlier in his career yet has settled down with
