Sporting Post columnists share their opinions and insights into horse racing from South Africa and around the world. They are experts who have a deep understanding of the sport of kings, enjoy their thoughtful and fresh articles.
ROBYN LOUW: The Breeders’ Cup was a bit of a mixed bag for racing fans. Favourites were dethroned. However, the biggest hit of the festival for me was a young raider from Ireland called Mark Boylan.
Gambling has been delegated to the provinces and we have to deal with 9 different gambling boards, with 9 different standards and 9 different procedures and 9 different tax rates
ROBYN LOUW: I don’t know that a simple column allows enough room to fit the story and larger than life character that is Jet Master. It as been an interminably long wait until today. It is a stressful time and everyone is anxious. The procedure is risky and holds no guarantee of success. But in the meantime Jet Master’s friends hope. And pray.
SARAH WHITELAW: In South Africa, the trend has been in recent times of champion sires becoming champion broodmare sires. The broodmare sire list has recently dominated by Northern Guest, who has been champion broodmare sire in this country nine times.
LANCE BENSON: Hats off to Mick Goss. The Emperors Palace Ready To Run concept is without question one of the most professionally marketed events in horseracing in this country. While names like Igugu and Pierre Jourdan do it no harm, Mick has just somehow got the knack of doing things properly.
ROBYN LOUW: They say sportsmanship and easygoing methods are all right, but it is the prospect of a hot fight that brings out the crowds!And doesn’t it just.
LANCE BENSON: Crowded racecourses, real life legends and the spreading of the racing gospel. Imagine being distracted by these and putting all our efforts into a positive direction rather than belittling and assassinating every Tom, Dick and Harry, when the opportunity arises?
ROBYN LOUW: In addition to greed and heartbreak, there is beauty and talent and effort and joy. In addition to money, there are horses.But then, I’m a glass half full kind of girl.
SARAH WHITELAW: This weekend’s racing reminded me of a statement made by a former Cape steward. He said, when addressing the problem of dwindling crowds, ”The monkeys will always climb over the fences (in order to attend the races).”
ALEC HOGG’s blog: Ever since South Africa became the S in BRICS (the others being Brazil, Russia, India and China) I’ve been wondering how long it would take our local horse racing industry to appreciate the potential.
Eight On Eighteen holds a commanding lead in both the Three-Year-Old Male category as well as the race for the prestigious Horse Of The Year title
Gareth van Zyl and Smanga ‘Bling’ Khumalo were the toast of the KZN Capital City on Monday
