Not since the days of Pocket Power has a gelding endeared himself to the racing public as has Do It Again.
That much was evident on Saturday when the handsome bay contested his sixth consecutive Durban July. Wearing a special, star-spangled saddlecloth, the eight-year-old showed age has not diminished his ability one bit when he finished a gallant fourth, despite being cut into.
Afterwards he was allowed a canter past, unprecedented for a horse that ran fourth and a privilege only afforded the July winner. Let’s just say he almost stole the show, such was the adulation from the crowd, who showed their appreciation with a massive roar!
Do It Again and Gavin Lerena at his swansong (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
With his unsurpassed record, Do It Again can lay claim to being the best Durban July horse of all time, for no horse has contested the Hollywoodbets showpiece race six times, let alone win it twice and earned a cheque at every attempt.
To be honest, those are the benefits of racing a gelding, as very few entire horses are campaigned up to the age of eight, definitely not those considered to be valuable stallion prospects.
That was never going to apply to Do It Again, for he was already a gelding when he made a winning debut at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth for Nic Jonsson, Bernard Kantor and the late Jack Mitchell just days before he turned three.
We spoke to Jono Snaith, who explained: “He was gelded as he was very fresh and got quite heavy.”
The rest, as they say, is history.
Do It Again in the parade ring (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
By the time Do It Again lined up for his sixth Durban July on Saturday, he had put together a fabulous resume.
In addition to his July double, he has captured the Gr1 L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate and Gr1 Gold Challenge, was named Champion Three-year-old, Champion Older Male, Champion Miler and Champion Middle Distance Horse, and of course, scooped a coveted Horse of the Year title.
All that, to go along with a bankroll of R9,7 million in career earnings, which makes even his sizeable R1,1-million purchase price pale in comparison!
Do It Again was bred by well-known horseman Robin Bruss from the Casey Tibbs mare Sweet Virginia. A smallish, slight-framed individual, she was no oil painting, but handsome is as handsome does, and her defeat of colts in both the Gr3 Winter Classic and Gr3 Winter Derby is testament to her toughness and talent, traits which she clearly passed on to her son.
“Do It Again is undoubtedly the best I have bred!,” Robin remarked.
He went on to elaborate: “I bought Tecla Bluff for Sydney Press to win the July in 1983 – forty years ago – and that sparked in me the ambition to use the July as my aiming point as a breeder. Every mating is built on that premise, aiming for stamina and class. It took a while, but finally Do It Again fulfilled that ambition twice. He has become the most successful horse in July history, and that’s something to be proud of.
Gavin and Do It Again bid the adoring crowd farewell (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
“I hope he will be honoured with a race named after him, so that his achievements remain forever etched in the South African turf. He deserves that.”
Do It Again has taken the Snaiths and his owners on a heady ride over a period of seven seasons, proof of his remarkable soundness, both in body and mind. As Jono Snaith said: “He never gave Justin a niggle and he was not only a superstar on the track, but a gentleman at home as well. He loves attention and is amazing with kids.”
Not surprisingly, someone raised the question whether there is a possibility of Do It Again contesting the Gold Cup.
“Funny that you should mention it, on pedigree, he could probably go round the track three times,” Jono remarked. “However, our Gr1 races are all around a mile up to 2200m, so he probably never went over his optimum trip.”
Be that as it may, the team has called time on Do It Again, a decision which has been six months in the making. He will be given a loving home by one of his owners and will live out his life in the style and love he enjoyed in Justin’s care.
That he will be missed in the Snaith stable is a foregone conclusion.
“Every year when Justin decided who would go to Durban, the first name on the list was always Do It Again, followed by the polo pony and the lead pony,” Jono quipped.
Added Justin: “Do It Again was a once in a lifetime horse and our team was privileged to work with him. He proved that age is mind over matter. We shall miss him dearly.”
