River Jetez

RIVER JETEZ

(filly born 5 Oct 2003 by Jet Master out of Stormsvlei by Prince Florimund) 

 

South Africa (Age 3 to 6)
Gr1 -> (11) 1-1-3
Gr2 -> (7) 3-2-2
Gr3 -> (1) 1-0-0

UAE (Age 7 to 8)
Gr1 -> (2) 0-1-0
Gr2 -> (2) 1-0-1

ENG (Age 7)
Gr1 -> (1) 0-0-0

HK (Age 7)
Gr1 -> (1) 0-0-0

SIN (Age 7)
Gr1 -> (1) 0-1-0

USA (Age 8)
Gr1 -> (1) 0-0-1
  
WORLDWIDE GR PERFORMANCES (Age 3 to 8)
Gr1 -> (17) 1-3-4
Gr2 -> (9) 4-2-3
Gr3 -> (1) 1-0-0
ALL GR RACES -> (27) 6-5-7

Despite a full career in South Africa, River Jetez made 8 appearances abroad at the ages of 7 and 8, six of those at Gr1 level, in five different countries! Although she did win a Gr1 at home, and that being a big one in the J&B Met, she would usually finish in the money or close to it at that level. Most of her winning form came in the Gr2's. It might not look like it at first glance, but her form abroad was quite similar.

In Dubai, River Jetez ran second in the Dubai Duty Free, beaten less than a length by Presvis.
In England, she ran 5th but was beaten under four lengths in the Falmouth Stakes.
In Hong Kong, her 2.50 length defeat to Ambitious Dragon was only good enough for 6th place.
In Singapore, Gitano Hernando only beat her by half a length.
In USA, she was only beaten 1.50 lengths into third by Stacelita in the Beverley D.
Her only poor run at Gr1 level abroad was her final start, in the Jebel Hatta in Dubai.

River Jetez made her debut in South Africa in September 2006 as a three year old. Her final start was in Dubai on 10 March 2012, as an 8 year old. Her career record reads (42) 12-8-9.

Imbongi

IMBONGI

(colt born 26 Oct 2004 by Russian Revival out of Garden Verse by Foveros) 

 

South Africa (Age 3)
Gr1 -> (3) 0-1-0
Gr2 -> (4) 3-0-0
Gr3 -> (1) 0-0-0

UAE (Age 4 to 6)
Gr1 -> (1) 0-0-1
Gr2 -> (5) 1-1-0
Gr3 -> (1) 0-1-0

ENG (Age 4)
Gr2 -> (1) 0-0-1
Gr3 -> (1) 1-0-0

HK (Age 4 to 5)
Gr1 -> (2) 0-0-0
 
WORLDWIDE GR PERFORMANCES (Age 3 to 6)
Gr1 -> (6) 0-1-1
Gr2 -> (10) 4-1-1
Gr3 -> (3) 1-1-1
ALL GR RACES -> (19) 5-3-2

Imbongi was a solid Gr2 horse as a three year old in South Africa, winning three out of four at that level, but managing just a second from three starts in Gr1's. He confirmed this ability in Dubai with a win and a second from five Gr2 starts, and a third in the Dubai Duty Free, his only Gr1 effort. In the UK, he ran a one length third in his Gr2 effort, but did win a Gr3. Overall, Imbongi held his form well wherever he raced.

Imbongi made his debut in South Africa in August 2007 as a three year old and left the country at the end of that season. His final start was a poor Gr2 effort on 26 March 2011, as a 6 year old, during his third Dubai campaign. His career record reads (28) 7-6-4.

J J The Jet Plane

J J THE JET PLANE

(colt born 9 Nov 2004 by Jet Master out of Majestic Guest by Northern Guest) 

 

South Africa (Age 3 to 7)
Gr1 -> (7) 5-0-0
Gr2 -> (3) 1-0-0
Gr3 -> (2) 2-0-0

UAE (Age 4 to 6)
Gr2 -> (1) 1-0-0
Gr3 -> (1) 1-0-0

ENG (Age 4 to 5)
Gr1 -> (3) 0-0-1
Gr2 -> (2) 0-0-0
Gr3 -> (1) 0-0-1

HK (Age 6)
Gr1 -> (1) 1-0-0
 
WORLDWIDE GR PERFORMANCES (Age 3 to 7)
Gr1 -> (11) 6-0-1
Gr2 -> (6) 2-0-0
Gr3 -> (4) 3-0-1
ALL GR RACES -> (21) 11-0-2

J J was a top class sprinter but unfortunately was unable to transfer that ability to a big run in England, though he did run a good third in the July Cup. Circumstances saw him change stables halfway through his UK campaign and had him racing like he was some kind of claimer. He raced 8 times in 4 months over there, including 4 runs in September 09 for Richard Hannon. His big international win came in Hong Kong where he touched of Rocket Man and Sacred Kingdom in the Hong Kong Sprint. He also became the first horse to return to South Africa from an international campaign and win a Gr1, taking both the Golden Horse Casino Sprint and the Mercury Sprint in 2010. He was unable to repeat the feat when returning from abroad for a second time in 2012. Until 2012, he was unbeaten in five South African Gr1 sprints.

J J The Jet Plane made his debut in South Africa in October 2007 as a three year old and last raced in South Africa on 28 April 2012 at age seven. His career record reads (29) 14-1-3.

Shea Shea

SHEA SHEA

(colt born 26 Sep 2007 by National Emblem out of Yankee Clipper by Jallad) 

 

South Africa (Age 3 to 4)
Gr1 -> (3) 2-0-1
Gr2 -> (2) 0-0-0
Gr3 -> (3) 1-1-0

UAE (Age 5 to 6)
Gr1 -> (1) 1-0-1
Gr3 -> (1) 1-0-0

ENG (Age 5 to 7)
Gr1 -> (5) 0-2-0
 
WORLDWIDE GR PERFORMANCES (Age 3 to 6)
Gr1 -> (7) 3-2-1
Gr2 -> (2) 0-0-0
Gr3 -> (3) 1-1-0
ALL GR RACES -> (12) 4-3-1

Shea Shea went so very close to winning a Gr1 in England, losing by a whisker at his first attempt and by only half a length at his third. Having won two Gr1's at home in South Africa and another in Dubai, he has been a highly consistent performer at the top level over the years and wherever he has raced.

Shea Shea made his debut in South Africa in June 2010 as a juvenile and last raced in England on 22 August 2014 at age seven. His career record reads (26) 11-4-4.

Sweet Sanette

SWEET SANETTE

(filly born 26 Sep 2005 by Jallad out of Scented Samantha by National Assembly) 

 

South Africa (Age 3)
Gr3 -> (1) 1-0-0

HK (Age 4 to 6)
Gr1 -> (2) 0-0-1
Gr2 -> (1) 0-0-0
Gr3 -> (5) 1-2-1

ENG (Age 5)
Gr1 -> (1) 0-0-1
 
WORLDWIDE GR PERFORMANCES (Age 3 to 6)
Gr1 -> (3) 0-0-2
Gr2 -> (1) 0-0-0
Gr3 -> (6) 2-2-1
ALL GR RACES -> (10) 2-2-3

Sweet Sanette only ran seven times in South Africa, leaving on a high with a win in her first attempt at Gr3 level. Sweet Sanette was one of two 3 year olds in the 15 horse field of fillies and mares. The other 3 year old ran last. That was the only time that she raced at Gr level against her sex only. Although her only other Gr win was at Gr3 level, she performed admirably at Gr1 level in Hong Kong and England, beaten just over a length by Sacred Kingdom in the former and beaten a length in the King's Stand at Ascot by Prohibit (Star Witness ran second). She had the likes of Overdose, War Artist, Kingsgate Native and Sole Power behind her in that England Gr1 effort.

Sweet Sanette made her debut in South Africa in November 2008 as a three year old and ended her career in Hong Kong in October 2011 as the age of six. Her career record reads (22) 8-3-5.

Tiza

TIZA 

(colt born 21 Oct 2012 by Goldkeeper out of Mamushka by Elliodor)

 

South Africa (Age 2 and 3)
Gr1 -> (4) 0-1-0
Gr2 -> (6) 2-1-1
Gr3 -> (1) 0-1-0

UAE (Age 4)
Gr1 -> (1) 0-0-0

HK (Age 5)
Gr1 -> (1) 0-0-0

GER (Age 5)
Gr3 -> (1) 0-0-1

FR (Age 4 to 8)
Gr1 -> (5) 0-0-0
Gr3 -> (13) 4-2-3

WORLDWIDE GR PERFORMANCES (Age 2 to 8)
Gr1 -> (11) 0-1-0
Gr2 -> (6) 2-1-1
Gr3 -> (15) 4-3-4
ALL GR RACES -> (32) 6-5-5

Tiza was a solid Gr2 horse in South Africa as a youngster and a Gr3 horse in France in his prime.
Strangely, he did not compete in any Gr2 races outside of South Africa despite trying seven Gr1's and fourteen Gr3's.

He made his debut in South Africa in November 2004 as a juvenile and his final start, a winning one, in France on March 2012 as a nine year old. His career record reads (55) 12-10-9.

First SAf-bred Gr2 win in the UK goes to Soft Falling Rain!

Soft Falling Rain took on six useful Gr2 competitors in the Nayef Joel Stakes over the straight mile trip at Newmarket and powered home to win well, going away up the hill over the final furlong despite hitting the front early.

He showed conclusively that he needed that first run in England last month and returned to winning ways, taking his career record to 8 wins and 1 second from 9 starts. What's next for Soft Falling Rain? Perhaps he will take up a place in the Gr1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot in three weeks time.

Shea Shea goes close in a UK GR1 again

Shea Shea was unable to get to longshot Jwala in the Nunthorpe on Friday, passing the post half a length back in second place in the five furlong sprint at York. The rivalry with Sole Power continued as Shea Shea just edged him out by the bob of a head, as Sole Power appeared to have caught him before the line.

In 2008, National Colour (SAf) also finished second in the Nuthorpe. She is a daughter a National Assembly while Shea Shea is a son of National Emblem, by National Assembly.

Shea Shea looks likely to be headed for the Abbaye next in France before having a break.

The Apache wins, and loses, the Arlington Million!

In a dramatic finish, The Apache beat Real Solution by a nose in the Arlington Million only to have the race taken away from him in the boardroom. He drifted quite sharply close to the finish line and, considering the narrow margin of victory, the stipes gave the race to Real Solution. The third horse, Side Glance, finished a further two lengths backs.

South Africa will have to wait a bit longer for that first open company US Gr1 victory by a SAf-bred horse. The two Gr1 victories recorded to date, by Gypsy's Warning and Crimson Palace, have been in fillies races. Gypsy's Warning, like The Apache, is by the Storm Cat stallion Mogok.

Soft Falling Rain in the Gr2 Hungerford Stakes

Soft Falling Rain returned to the track today, five months since his win in the Gr2 Godolphin Mile, and ran a solid second in the Gr2 Hungerford Stakes.

The defeat unfortunately ends his unbeaten record but, like The Apache, he appeared to need the run and will likely improve when he makes his next start.

Flax wins Gr2 in Singapore

On 28 July, Flax won the Gr2 Chairman's Trophy in Singapore.

This Maine Chance Farms bred son of Silvano, out of the Elliodor mare Bejewelled Spring, had previously placed 3rd in Singapore Gr1 and Gr2 races and also won the Gr1 Raffles Cup.

The Chairman's Trophy was previously won in 2010 by Thundering Jet, a son of Jet Master.

The Apache 4th in Gr2 SkyBet York Stakes

The Apache didn't manage to improve South Africa's record in UK Gr2 races, finishing only 4th in the SkyBet York Stakes. He was well beaten in the end by Mukhadram and Grandeur but was nosed out of third by Wigmore Hall, a horse he beat by about 4 lengths in Dubai last time out.

That run was four months ago but Wigmore Hall has run twice since, so the way I'll look at this performance is that The Apache needed the run and should be closer to his best for the Arlington Million in three weeks time.

July Cup (Gr1) and other news

Shea Shea was unable to add to South Africa's tally of UK Gr1 placings yesterday when running 4th in the July Cup. Much is being said about his 'failure', his pulling early, the ride and the distance but it was a good run regardless. Shea Shea was beaten only 2.50 lengths by the Diamond Jubilee winner, Lethal Force. Society Rock, second in the Diamond Jubilee, finished second here as well. Shea Shea also narrowly beat Sole Power this time, reversing the result of their last encounter. He looks likely to return in the five furlong Nunthorpe, with the Prix de l'Abbaye in France being next on the list.

Dancewiththedevil was entered in the Gr1 Falmouth but did not make the final field in which only 3 (!) ran. She has been entered for a number of races coming up soon including the Nassau Stakes (Gr1, 3 Aug), Desmond Stakes (Gr3, 15 Aug), Celebration Mile (Gr2, 24 Aug) and the Matron Stakes (Gr1, 7 Sep).

The Apache was expected to run in the Summer Mile but was likewise didn't appear in the final field.

Soft Falling Rain may make his return in the Sprint Cup (Gr1, 7 Sep).

Shea Shea and Dancewiththedevil

Shea Shea will not be taking part in the Diamond Jubilee at Royal Ascot today and is instead likely to make his next start in the July Cup at Newmarket on 13 July. His young unbeaten stablemate, Soft Falling Rain, is also penciled in for the same race but has been nursing a back problem.

Another South African bred ran at Royal Ascot this week, the mare Dancewiththedevil. She was beaten 8 lengths in the Gr2 Duke of Cambridge Stakes. One preview suggested that she would have to run better than ever before to have a chance, this for a mare with five South African GR1 wins behind her, four of those against the boys. She had The Apache more than two lengths behind her in one of those victories, and he went on to perform admirably in Dubai.

In the end, Dancewiththedevil's poor run is more likely due to factors other than class. It was her first run outside of South Africa, her first start in more than 12 months, her first start with a new stable, and she is less than two months short of turning seven years old by southern hemisphere reckoning (already considered seven in the north). Hopefully she will fare better the next time she appears on the tracks, but she has little to prove and would be a valuable addition to many broodmare bands.

King's Stand Stakes (Gr1) at Royal Ascot

It was exciting to see a South African bred, with a legitimate shot at winning, racing at Royal Ascot. Shea Shea actually started favourite for the 5 furlong (1000 metre) sprint. 
 
With about 100 metres to go, I thought that Shea Shea had broken that UK Gr1 duck for South Africa. Unfortunately, he was nabbed on the line by the flying Sole Power, a horse that he beat twice in Dubai a few months ago, racing on the far side of the track.

It was a great run by Shea Shea. Now we wait to see if he will have a go at the Diamond Jubilee in a few days time, or wait for the July Cup.

Watch the race on You Tube.