An Eye On The July

In a season that history will reflect on as the era of the rebirth of racing in KwaZulu-Natal, a locally trained winner of the Hollywoodbets Durban July would undoubtedly be a fairytale splash on the tapestry of time.

It has, after all, been 31 long winters since Ricky Maingard’s Space Walk earned what many regard to be the highest honour in South African racing – and that in the less than glamorous confines of the Stipes boardroom.

The Durban July has been won on an objection three times.

In 1975 Gatecrasher was disqualified and the race awarded to Principal Boy. In 1994, just two months after the first open elections were held in a new South Africa, the objection against Surfing Home by Pas de Quoi was upheld, with the race awarded to KZN-based Space Walk. In 2014, Legislate got the race on objection against Wylie Hall, who passed the post first.

Objections aside, the last KZN-based horse to actually cross the line first in Africa’s Greatest Horseracing event was the Dennis Drier-trained Spanish Galliard in 1992.

Ironically it’s a man who was Assistant to the now retired Dennis Drier for 17 years, who may feel that he has more than a squeak of history being made on 5 July.

The 56 year old Stuart Ferrie saddled Gladatorian to a supremely impressive victory in last Saturday’s IOS Gr2 Drill Hall Stakes.

The 5yo son of Vercingetorix was produced with perfect timing by Sean Veale time to beat revitalized fellow home-towner See It Again, with the Snaith’s Great Plains clocking the fastest 400m to finish on the opening afternoon of the 2025 Champions Season.

The Sporting Post asked Stuart if the win, Gladatorian’s second Gr2 after beating champion speedster Thunderstruck in the 2024 Post Merchants, had earned his charge a run in the big race on 5 July?

“It was a good win and he certainly warrants consideration for a tilt at the Hollywoodbets Durban July, but our confirmed goals right now are the Hollywoodbets Gr1 Gold Challenge on 7 June and the HKJC Gr1 Champions Cup at the end of the term , on 27 July,” explains the former Maritzburg College pupil.

So including the Hollywoodbets Durban July on his target list would mean three Gr1 races from a mile to 2200m in 7 weeks.

“He has low mileage on the clock. He has had only two races this year, and he is as sound as the proverbial bell,” adds Stuart who took out his licence on April Fool’s Day 2023 and saddled Blazing Light, also ridden by Sean Veale, on 12 April of that year for his first winner after his boss Dennis Drier’s retirement.

It was only his third meeting and he got off the mark with a double. Quietly spoken, Stuart is never one to be over emotional but said at the time that he was particularly happy his first winner ran in the colours of Eric Buhr, a long time supporter of the Drier yard. Mrs Gill Drier was also fittingly one of the part-owners.

Back to Gladatorian, we suggested that the 2200m of the July could be a bridge too far for the 5yo in terms of getting the trip. He is a Gr2 winner over 1200m and clocked 59,59 secs for a Hollywoodbets Kenilworth 1000m win early in his career.

“Well the 2200m is naturally the million dollar question. But have a look at the way he won a 1750m Pinnacle at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on soft going in December. He is a horse who settles, so he doesn’t burn energy unnecessarily. And his dam Harvard Crimson, a daughter of Dynasty, was out of a Badger Land mare and she herself was a stakes winner at 2000m. So all the signs suggest he could well get the trip,” adds Stuart with a smile.

An unassuming and modestly quietly spoken man, Stuart had to be pressed to talk about his foundation in horseracing.

“My Dad ‘Scotch’ Ferrie taught at Maritzburg College with Doug Campbell, Ian Gibson, and Alistair ‘Mat’ Thiselton, and in fact raced his first horse Silver Sovereign way back in 1965.  I suppose it was inevitable that I’d land up after varsity going into racing,” he laughs.

Stuart explains that he was very fortunate to have enjoyed a great grounding.

“From spending time on the world-class Taylor Made Farm in the USA, and then seven years assisting Satish Seemar and Nick Robb in Dubai, I garnered plenty of valuable knowledge before I returned home and learnt more through Gary Alexander and his family on the Highveld. I took over as Mr Drier’s assistant from Mike Robinson in 2005/6 and was privileged to work under a legend of the training ranks for all those years. Looking back, I really have been very very lucky to have had some great teachers!” he enthuses.

At time of publication, Gladatorian is quoted at 40-1 with Hollywoodbets in the big race ante-post market. Prices are subject to change.

The Hollywoodbets Durban July timeline:

• First declarations close at 11h00 on Monday, 12 May.
• First supplementary entries close at 11h00 on Tuesday, 13 May
• Second declarations close at 11h00 on Monday, 9 June
• Final supplementary entries close at 11h00 on Tuesday, 17 June, on which date the weights will be published.
• Final field and draw announcement will take place on Tuesday, 24 June.