OTTO LUYKEN DELIVERS BACK-TO-BACK FEATURE WINS

 

Progressive gelding Otto Luyken showcased both grit and talent to secure a thrilling victory in Saturday’s G3 Magical Zulu Kingdom 2200, adding another feather to his cap in what is shaping into a standout season.

Given a confident ride by Luyolo Mxothwa, the five-year-old showed his fighting spirit in a tight finish to edge out his rivals by a neck — his second stakes win on the trot following a commanding performance in the Listed Pocket Power Stakes last time out.

Trained by James Crawford and owned by Greg Bortz and Gina Goldsmith, Otto Luyken has matured into a consistent black-type performer. A R180,000 purchase from the 2021 Cape Yearling Sale, he’s proving to be a smart buy with five wins and eight placings from 27 starts, and stakes earnings nearing R870,000.

Bred by Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein, the son of Flower Alley hails from a powerful female line — he’s closely related to Equus champions Cherry On The Top and Summer Pudding, adding further weight to his pedigree credentials.

With back-to-back feature wins under his belt, Otto Luyken is clearly a horse in form and one to keep an eye on through the second half of the season.

KING PELLES POWERS INTO GOLD CUP CONTENTION

 

With an effortless blend of stamina and class, King Pelles confirmed himself a major player for this year’s G3 Gold Cup after a commanding performance in the Gr3 Durban Gold Vase over 3000m on Hollywoodbets Durban July day.

Carrying 60kg, the imposing gelding brushed aside the burden under a polished ride from S’Manga Khumalo, surging clear to win by three lengths for the Gareth van Zyl stable. It was his second consecutive Graded win, coming off a solid victory in the G3 TOTE.co.za Derby, and marked a career-best effort to date.

Bred by Drakenstein Stud, King Pelles was a R475,000 purchase from the 2022 National Yearling Sale and now races in the silks of Lucky Vest 12 CC Nom: Mr Ravi Padayachee, in partnership with Dave MacLean, Gary Player, and Mr Parmanand.

By Duke Of Marmalade, King Pelles is impeccably bred — he is a half-brother to dual Grade 1 SA Derby winners Hero’s Honour and Legend Of Arthur, making his staying success no surprise to those familiar with the family. His record now stands at six wins from 21 starts with earnings approaching R910,000.

With his staying prowess proven and momentum building, King Pelles looks set to line up as a serious contender for Gold Cup glory later this season.

ANOTHERDANCEFORME REMAINS UNBEATEN

 

Anotherdanceforme continued her flawless rise through the ranks with an emphatic victory in Saturday’s Gr2 SplashOut Golden Slipper over 1400m at Hollywoodbets Greyville.

Trained by Alan Greeff who is enjoying a tremendous season raiding provinces, and ridden with confidence by Richard Fourie, the unbeaten filly overcame a touch of greenness in the finish to stretch her record to a perfect five wins from as many starts. Despite shifting in during the final stages, she proved far too strong for her rivals, drawing clear to win by nearly a length and a half.

A R650,000 purchase from the National Yearling Sale, the classy juvenile races in the silks of Peter Moor and was bred by Varsfontein Stud, who also stand her sire, the ever-reliable Master Of My Fate.

Anotherdanceforme hails from a family steeped in quality — she is a full-sister to Listed Sweet Chestnut Stakes winner Princess Izzy, and her latest victory adds even more black type to an already distinguished pedigree that includes Capetown Noir.

With her unbeaten streak intact and a Gr2 title to her name, Anotherdanceforme looks set to be a standout three-year-old in the new season.

CHRONICLE KING REIGNS SUPREME IN GR2 GOLDEN HORSESHOE

 

Progressive colt Chronicle King stamped his class on the juvenile ranks with a powerful win in the Gr2 OMODA Golden Horseshoe over 1400m at Hollywoodbets Greyville.

Carrying 60kgs, the son of Vercingetorix showed tenacity and talent under a composed ride from Muzi Yeni, surging home to capture the R500,000 feature in fine style for trainer Candice Dawson.

Bred by Narrow Creek Stud and owned by Mr John Finlayson, the colt is out of the Western Winter mare Written, from the family of Trademark, Springs Of Carmel and Chestnuts n Pearls.

With his Golden Horseshoe triumph, Chronicle King now firmly announces himself as one of the standout two-year-olds of the season.

THE REAL PRINCE CLAIMS THE CROWN IN THE HOLLYWOODBETS DURBAN JULY

In a result that echoed both pedigree and promise, The Real Prince soared to a career-defining victory in the G1 Hollywoodbets Durban July, South Africa’s most prestigious race.

Trained by Dean Kannemeyer who celebrated his fourth ‘July’ win and partnered by Craig Zackey, who celebrated his first Hollywoodbets Durban July win, the regally bred gelding delivered a commanding performance in front of a full house at Hollywoodbets Greyville.

By Gimmethegreenlight out of the multiple stakes-winning mare Real Princess, The Real Prince is a full brother to Equus Champion Sprinter Gimme A Prince and carries the weight of royalty in his blood. His win marks a second July success for owner Khaya Stables (Pty) Ltd, who enjoyed a previous winner with Power King, and whose colours have long been synonymous with excellence.

With this emphatic Group 1 triumph, The Real Prince’s star dam puts her name firmly into the hat for Champion Broodmare of the year this season.

Double Grand Slam Delivers in Garden Province Glory

Top-class filly Double Grand Slam strengthened her claims for Equus honours with a courageous victory in the Gr1 Ridgemont Garden Province Stakes over 1600m at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday.

Trained by Justin Snaith and expertly ridden by Andrew Fortune, the four-year-old showed her trademark determination to hold off a quality field and score by just over three-parts of a length in the prestigious mile.

A R1,000,000 purchase from the 2022 National Yearling Sale, the Varsfontein Stud-bred daughter of champion sire elect Vercingetorix has now won eight of 18 starts, including this season’s Gr1 Cartier Paddock Stakes, amassing nearly R3 million in stakes for owners Drakenstein Stud, Gary Player, and Dave MacLean.

I AM GIANT

Out of Debutante winner Princess Peach, Double Grand Slam boasts both pedigree and performance — and with two Gr1 wins this season, she stands tall among the top female milers in the country.

Classy sprinter I Am Giant defied his long starting price when downing a high-class field to win the Gr3 Post Merchants (1200m).

The Stuart Ferrie trained gelding stormed home under Sean Veale, to claim his biggest victory by three-parts of a length.

One of two Graded stakes winners over the weekend for his sire Querari, I Am Giant is owned by Hollywood Racing. Raised at Narrow Creek Stud for Mr Dickerson, he has won five of 18 starts for earnings of R852 312. He is out of Var mare, Vars Honour.