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.
LANCE BENSON: Horseracing’s poor relationship with the independent media was highlighted by the recent Vodacom Durban July tragedy. The sport was made to look stupid and cruel and even though the dust has settled briefly until the next round, the indirect cost and impact will never be quantified.
With the Wallabies’ loss to Samoa, an under-strength Bok side, and an All Black Tri-Nations team that will no doubt be throwing caution to the wind when it comes to the injury of their golden boys, the issue of player fatigue at the top level in a World Cup year has come to the forefront.
LANCE BENSON: Prestige, ego or a career booster? It definitely is not the money! What else could really be motivating established successful sportsmen like Anthony Delpech and Anton Marcus to be sacrificing their families and comfortable lifestyles for cramped aircraft seats and the personal injury risks and boredom that go with racing in our backwaters?
ROBYN LOUW: The name Carl Burger has quietly been cropping up in the nominations, results and the press pages with increasing regularity, but made their presence felt in a big way after the Gr2 Gold Vase on July day.
SARAH WHITELAW :With the season about to end in Australasia, it’s a good time to review the stallion statistics for the that particular region.
ROBYN LOUW: What a July! I was cheering pretty strongly for the little filly with the big stride, but even so, watching the race unfold, seeing her placed handy exactly where she likes to be and then seeing the turn for home with her striding out was just phenomenal.
LANCE BENSON: A dour Greyville was injected with new life flowing through its veins as it was daubed with a splash of the new red of the major sponsor. The recession was put on hold for a magical few hours as 55 000 people cheered, rocked and partied amid soaring tote turnovers and dwindling booze stocks.
SARAH WHITELAW: Is Igugu a more deserving winner of Horse of the Year honors than Dancewiththedevil? Whilst Igugu certainly has strong claims to the title, she only once took on males, whilst her older rival beat some of the country’s top males twice in G1 events
The intent to lay claim to winnings courtesy of the ‘July’, informed that there were no funds available.
I remember ‘BIG’ as a brilliant racehorse and he will no doubt live on as such in the memories of all who followed him.
It is never easy having to say goodbye to any horse, let alone a champ like Big City Life
Varsfontein Stud boasts a stallion roster which is arguably the envy of every breeding outfit in South Africa
The excitement builds as the countdown to the R5 million Gr1 Hollywoodbets Durban July continues
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
