The traditional July gallops took place at the city course at Greyville on Tuesday morning. With coffee and sticky buns in hand, the public got to see some of their July favourites have their gallops. Surprisingly, the trainers played their part and most of the horses had a full gallop, rather than the ususal trot. They deserve credit for this. These gallops are an an age old tradition along with tent town, the fashion and the Grade 1 filled card, it makes this event special in the world of racing

 

The Irish Derby takes place this weekend and it is set to be clash between the Investec Derby winner and the third place getter. The well backed US Army Ranger was scratched due to an abnormal scope.

 

The July draw and final field took place at a gala event on Tuesday with racing royality on site to view the much awaited draw.

 

Japan hosts another Grade 1 this weekend. All and more in this newsletter.

UK: ROSE AT ROYAL ASCOT, WHAT A WEEK! 

 

 

Rose Hall, our lovely English correspondent, spent her week at Royal Ascot and wrote exclusively  for SAHorseracing of her experiences. (image Rose pictured with Frankie Dettori) 

 

There truly is nowhere else like Royal Ascot. Not only is it the best racing with the best horses in the world but it is seamlessly organised in a sensational…. READ MORE

 

 

 

 

The National Horseracing Authority confirms that an Inquiry was heard at its offices in Johannesburg on 22 June 2016 into the alleged assault involving Mr Larry Wainstein, who is the CEO of The Racing Association and another party, outside the parade ring, after the running of Race 9 run at the Turffontein Racecourse on 30 April 2016…..READ MORE

SAF: QUERARI, NEW SIRE ON THE BLOCK MAKES HIS MARK IN GRADE 2 POST MERCHANTS

 

 

QUERARI, new sire on the block makes his mark in Grade 2 Post Merchants

 

The German sire, QUERARI, is beginning to make his mark as an up and coming sire in South Africa. He raced in both Germany and Italy. At three he won the Grade 3 Euro Cup over 2000m as well as the Listed Preis Der Casino Baden-Baden over 1600m. 

 

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Focus shifts this weekend to Cape Town where the Grade 3 Winter Derby for three year olds is set to take place. Trainer Mike Bass sends out JET AIR (3), the three year old son of VISIONAIRE in the race with his stable jockey, Grant Van Niekerk aboard. He had been off form until he won a MR 96 at this track last time. He was beaten by just over four lengths last season in the Grade 1 Premiers Challenge when losing out to RABADA. he did lose a length that day but ran on well. He finished just over three lengths behind NOAH FROM GOA in the Grade 1 Cape Guineas. Again that run was against far stronger. His win last time was over 2000m and the way he won that race suggests that he should get the Derby distance.

 

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Epsom Derby winner Harzand is among nine runners declared to run in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby this SATURDAY at the Curragh. Trainer Dermot Weld has won the race twice previously with Zagreb in 1996 and Grey Swallow in 2004, while owner His Highness The Aga Khan has won the race five times previously with Alamshar (2003), Sinndar (2000), Kahyasi (1988), Shahrastani (1986) and Shergar (1981)…..READ MORE

 

 

 

 

The Vodacom July Gallops took place at a warm Greyville on Thursday morning with many horses having full gallops in front of the large crowd that gathered for the event. ..READ MORE

 

 

 

 

While there might be a tussle for the leading breeders this season, there is very little doubt as to who the leading sire for the season which ends on 31 July is going to be. TRIPPI is way out in front of the sire stakes with an impressive R27 000 000 in stake money. SILVANO is around R9 000 000 behind the leader with CAPTAIN AL a further R2 000 000 further back. Admittedly his biggest winner has been ILLUMINATOR who won the $1 000 000 (R14,6 million) earlier this year, but the win was a feat in itself. …READ MORE

 

 

 

 

 

The half-year finale to Grade 1 racing action in Japan takes place this coming Sunday, June 26 at JRA Hanshin Racecourse, midway between Osaka and Kobe. The 57th running of the Grade 1 Takarazuka Kinen has attracted 18 nominations for the 2,200 meter turf race, and recent winners have included greats such as Goldship (2013 and 2014) and Orfevre (2012). The race is for 3-year-olds and up, but no 3-year-olds have been nominated this time around, somewhat of a surprise given the lightweight of 53kgs they are allotted in the race. Four year-olds and over carry 58kgs, with a 2kg allowance for fillies and mares. Touching Speech and Marialite are the two nominations representing the latter. Two notable absentees from the list are Mikki Queen and Shonan Pandora, the former being rested for an autumn campaign, while last year’s Japan Cup winner is sidelined through injury….READ MORE