AND HORSE OF THE YEAR GOES TO....

Horse of the Year title for 2008 will be another close run affair. The
champion Pocket Power will forever be remember for his feats in winning the
greatest races in South Africa, while J J The Jet Plane plundered all before him
over the sprint trips in South Africa. A third realistic contender comes into the equation
for probably the first time in a long time. This star thoroughbred and a worthy
choice at
that is the great filly, Dancer's Daughter (left).

So the question begs, who will it be? Lets make their cases.

J J The Jet Plane is the best sprinter seen in South Africa
since National Currency.
He was tough and dominating this season; he annialated his opposition at level
weights and in handicap events carrying top weight; he showed himself to be a
true sprinting star. His form suggests that he was slightly better than the
great Mythical Flight and even National Colour. That may seem to be a surprise
to many, but he did win all of the Golden Horse Sprint, the Mercury Sprint and the
Computerform Sprint - all grade 1 events.

Mythical Flight could not achieve this feat having been defeated in both the
Golden Horse Sprint and the Mercury Sprint but did win the Cape Flying
Championship in Cape Town away from his home base in Johannesburg. National
Colour, as great as she was in South Africa, could not emulate the feats of J J
The Jet Plane either. She won the Computerform Sprint and S.A Fillies Sprint on her way
to winning the Mercury Sprint in her year. Those feats earned her a joint horse
of the year title in 2005/2006. J J The Jet Plane has arguably done better and
his versatility over the sprint trips (1000 - 1400m) unlike the aforementioned
sprint stars makes him a highly desirable horse.

The reigning horse of the year and only horse since Politician to win the
J&B Met and Vodacom July double in one season, Pocket Power, must surely be
the favourite to earn the right to be called Horse of the Year again. His tenacity
and ability to prove his critics wrong with his deadly burst of speed made him a
crowd favourite. Just when he was written off after a supposed "lacklustre"
preparation run in the Gold Challenge over the mile trip, he came back and won the hearts of South
Africa in his epic Vodacom July deadheat. Although plagued with problems throughout
his career, he was surprisingly consistent and always delivered on the biggest
of days - a sign of a true champion.

He, like the great Politician, won the Queen's Plate, J&B Met and Vodacom
July, in the same year. Also like Politician, Pocket Power carried top weight to
win the famed July event. Coupled with these three awesome events, Pocket Power
also won the Green Point Stakes, Grade 2, and placed in all of the Merchant's
Stakes, Drill Hall, Gold Challenge and Champion's Cup for the season in review.

Dancer's Daughter has nothing to prove in South Africa and she beats almost anything
they throw at her. She was tough, determined; she went the mile trip and stayed,
she is one of a handful of fillies to win the prestigious Vodacom Durban July
and she beat the boys in doing it. Dancer's Daughter is by far and away the best filly in the country and makes
a case at being the best in the land as well. She has won all of the Gold
Challenge (Gr.1), Vodacom Durban July (Gr.1), Fancourt Majorca Stakes (Gr.1)
and the TBA Paddock Stakes (Gr.1) this year alone. She beat the best of both
sexes and must be in with a big chance of taking home the title of the best in
the land.

However, she is up against two of the very best
horses this country has ever produced and in a vintage 2007/2008 season. South
Africans have seen three great warriors of the turf.

There is no doubt that come the Equus Awards Horse of the Year announcement, there
would be three serious bearers of the title of Horse of the Year. No one will begrudge the
judges should they award another joint title, but one thing is for certain - South
African racing were the big winners in producing three fine horses, two of
whom where home grown talents. They was all worthy of
the all too loosely used phrase - "the champion".

SA HORSES RIVALING TRADITIONAL RACING POWERS

South African trainers have taken the world by storm in nearly every major racing country in the East in the recent past and it seems to get better and better as the months go by.
The latest trainer to grab top honours on the international circuit is Herman Brown - trainer of Jay Peg. After beating the world's best grass milers in Dubai and having his form franked by Archipenko in Hong Kong, one could not help but be confident that Jay Peg would hold his own in Singapore.

He more than did that, he beat the QE II Cup runner-up convincingly and that again proved that the Dubai Duty Free win was full of merit. Brown improved on this horse and he went from an ordinary Grade 1 winner in South Africa to a world beater overnight.
It was a night to savour though and mention must be given to the way the horse was turned out in Singapore. It is not often that a trainer can a lift a horse to the heights of international group 1 racing twice in the space of 2 months. Jay Peg proved that South African bred horses can compete anywhere in the world and more than proved the toughness of the breed in South Africa. He stood up to an entire carnival of racing in Durban and then stepped up to win two major group 1 events in succession. This is a credit to his breeders and the type of horse being produced in South Africa.

I was privileged enough to have been invited to the Tourism Indaba held in Durban recently. After seeing numerous top international racing jurisdictions handle local and international guests and not having experienced the same service levels in racing in South Africa, I was surprised and delighted to note the the tourism industry's service levels at this event were on par with international events. The Indaba was a showcase of South African and African tourism with representatives from major companies related to the tourism field, all in attendance. The event was well run, organised and presented.

In these times of instability in South Africa, it gave one renewed hope that we have people and resources in the country to become a global leader. This will take time but it can be done and the positive outlook received from the people at the Tourism Indaba invigorated the mind. It was indeed an eye-opener and rather pleasant one at that.

PLAYER, GOLF AND THE NEW STAR

The world witnessed another stunning South African triumph when the new golfing star Trevor Immelman shot to world prominence overnight.
The star became only the second South African in history to win the US Masters, a feat only completed by his mentor, Gary Player. Player has deep roots in South African sport and more recently he has developed a successful racing stud farm in the Karoo, near Cape Town in South Africa.
It was a voicemail received by Immelman from Player the night before he teed off for the final round of the Masters, which will forever be remembered as the inspiration that drove the young South African to victory against a field of stars including probably the greatest golfer that ever lived, Tiger Woods.
The big "Tiger" was looming a few shots of the pace all day but could not hold on to some key putts and finished a distance 3 shots back at the end. However, while Woods was relaxing in the clubhouse having completed his round, it was Immelman who had two holes to play with a 3 shot lead. It took guts and determination to come back from a horrendous mistake at 16 when his ball found the water on a par 3 and he double bogeyed. From a five stroke romp with thre holes to play, Immelman was left with two holes to go and a three shot lead. More mistakes could have meant disaster as the likeable South Africa showed calm and mettle in the final holes to win an incredible Masters title - his first major.
With the coveted green jacket safely on Immelman's back, millions of South Africans watching until the early hours of Monday morning, could breathe easily and go to bed with a smile as South Africa triumphed again on the world stage.

Player in his element at his stud farm

Immelman's mentor, Gary Player's has two passions horses and golf. He is the greatest South African sportsman and has inspired many. His fitness routine, his dedication and his professionalism are legendary, with enough been said about his god given golfing talent. He has just set a record for the most appearances at the Masters and he looks set to continue at age 72. He is a shining light for the nation and a true gentleman. He inspired yet another young man to greatness on the 30th anniversary of his last green jacket in 1978.
Gary Player's farm in the Karoo had a successful National yearling sale in April and the champion golfer will come home to his beloved Karoo a happy man; that's after his torturous travelling exploits and business ventures, however it will be back on the road again for the tireless Player as he inspires us all to be better everyday.

HONG KONG KNOW HOW TO GIVE A HERO A FAREWELL

Hong Kong is a racing institution. It does not have the history of England or

the traditional racing background of Europe, but for the history it lacks, it
makes up in almost every other way.

One of these is the way it treats its champions and the adoration offered to
them by their throngs of die hard racing fans. They recently said farewell to
another superstar of Hong Kong racing, Vengeance of Rain. As was the case with a
former champion sprinter, Silent Witness, it was an enormous affair with the
crowds flocking to Sha Tin to say "goodbye". South African's rarely
fill stands at the major courses in South Africa, hence such a farewell would be
almost impossible to replicate.

The last time we said goodbye to a champion horse at an official function,
was when Horse Chestnut was paraded at Turffontein to the cheers of his fans. We
have had so many champions since then but none have been treated in their own
country as such. Many have gone on to bigger and brighter things overseas and
lauded by the foreign press.

At this point, it is also important to note the role that the press play in
promoting Hong Kong horseracing heroes. In South Africa, the press corp. has
dwindled to a few dedicated press people with the majority now working for the
racing operators or out of a job.

Hong Kong's World Champion was trained by South African David Ferraris and
ridden by another South African champion in Anthony Delpech. Both will go down
in Hong Kong history as champions along with Vengeance of Rain. Fellow South
African's who stamped their class on Hong Kong include Felix Coetzee, who rode
Silent Witness and Douglas Whyte multiple Hong Kong champion rider. Basil Marcus
and Bartie Leisher were also Hong Kong champions in years past when their racing
was an evolving product and their involvement contributed to the stature that
Hong Kong racing commands today.

Vengeance of Rain was the highest earning horse in the history of that
territories racing with HK$75,410,500; the equivalent of US$ 9.6 million which
in any person's language, is huge.

Talking of Hong Kong, the Queen Elizabeth II Cup will be held again this year

at the end of April and it is, as always, a must attend event. Once the Dubai
World Cup night passes, the world's focus moves to this race, especially when it
comes to the older horses. Naturally the 3 year old classics in Europe and
America take centre stage for that age group. This Hong Kong group 1 field is
normally finalised once the World Cup is completed with most of the form horses
from the World Cup races contesting the Hong Kong event.

There is much to look forward to in world racing but champions and heroes
always make horseracing a ride to remember.

J&B Met day 2008: World Class but can improve!

The J&B Met has come and gone, adding memories to savour and pictures to treasure.



This year was somewhat of a history making “Met” as the champion of South Africa, Pocket Power destroyed the best on offer for the second time in 2 years and took out his second successive J&B Met, the first since a horse called Politician scored the unique race double. The conditions of the event make defending the crown difficult as they are penalised for their previous Group 1 wins. However, this gallant and frisky animal did it against the all odds and the top weight. His race time was just 2 seconds outside the race record which was an incredible feat considering there was head wind as well.

He was his usual naughty self in the post parade and refused to give the throngs of media people a chance to snap up a picture of the winning connections. He could not be led in which is customary after a race victory. As they say about any human or equine sporting champions, they nearly always have a quirky side.



The event itself was down on attendance from last year. The ticket prices were hefty at R125 for general entrance, however 48 000 people did make their annual trek to Kenilworth for the fashion and mingling. The atmosphere was more like a giant party than a racing event with the majority of people at the course interested in the social aspect rather than the racing; however they do have the odd flutter on the horses which is always good for enhancing the appeal of horseracing amongst the unconverted. The economy has obviously had an effect on the day’s turnover and the interest rate hike has hit the industry with the tote turnover marginally up by 4%.

The atmosphere lacked from previous Mets – but that’s just my opinion. Being seated in the J&B marquee, which is the premier place at Kenilworth for comfort with the “bling” factor a big draw card, made it easier but if one made ones way to one of the members only lounges in the main grandstand, one would have been disappointed. The lack of proper comfortable seating, air-conditioning, proper food and general décor made for an unpleasant experience. The members are paying more than 300% more for the new “VIP” membership packages and get anything but that for the big events. It is no wonder that racing’s crowds are dwindling and people are turning to the casinos. The look of the rooms represented a “tired” gaze and for people who can afford to own racehorses, it is somewhat of a step down in terms what they are usually accustomed too.

The media is always treated like guests of honour by Eddy Cassar and his company, the man knows how to run that part of the show. J&B must also be commended on the marketing of the event. They, along with Gold Circle, placed the “Met” in the minds of all Capetonions from the time one steps off the plane until ones arrival at the hotel. There are signs galore and numerous reminders of the glitzy race meeting and party ahead.

Cape Town is the place to party and the J&B Met fits it like a glove. It is almost like an international city, aloof from the rest of South Africa; it’s like visiting another country. It is clean, friendly and cosmopolitan. It has the views of the mountain and the sea, it has a huge coastline and the perfect setting for any Hollywood movie. Cape Town is a rare treat and compares to anything in the world when it comes to natural beauty.

Cape Town and the J&B Met meet international standards in many ways; you have got a good thing going, with a few minor improvements to make. Don’t lose it!