Rock Of Arts, the 2013 Ready To Run Cup winner is now based in Mauritius
The R3,85 million 2014 Peermont Emperors Palace Ready To Run Cup may well be the richest race in South African horseracing history, but the jockeying and tussle for a good early position looks to land up being handled by legal counsel before the jockeys even get aboard.
This follows a bad bump in running when longstanding former multiple SA champion breeders Summerhill dropped a bombshell on 2 September with the announcement that they had withdrawn their draft from Bloodstock SA’s Ready To Run Sale, originally scheduled for 31 October and 2 November.
The Ready To Run Cup is to be run at Turffontein on Peermont Emperors Palace Charity Mile Day on 1 November, sandwiched between the original longstanding sale dates.
The race is now approaching its 8th year, and the stake was recently increased to R3.85million.
That makes it the all-time richest horse race in South African horseracing history.
But with Peermont Emperors Palace changing horses and announcing that they would be switching their sponsor allegiance to Cape Thoroughbred Sales from 1 January 2015, the 2014 renewal has found itself at the crossroads.
“The Ready To Run Cup sales race run at Turffontein belongs to the TBA. The affixing of the Emperors Palace name to the race was part of our sponsorship agreement with Emperors Palace which ends December 31st, 2014,” said TBA Chairperson Susan Rowett on Saturday.
“The Cup itself is kindly provided by the Racing Association. Patrick Davis of Phumelela and Larry Wainstein of Phumelela have confirmed to us their firm assurance that the race belongs to the TBA. This is important as both organizations have also stated their policy to oppose the proliferation of sales races,” added the no–nonsense Rowett, who has proven herself a revelation in terms of transparency and consultation.
“Our attorneys are engaged on this matter to protect our interests,” she added.
Susan Rowett thanked vendors for their loyalty and also all the buyers and breeders who had sent messages of encouragement and support to the TBA.
