Lily Blue with Calvin Habib up. Wes Marwing rides on Sunday.Photograph by Zimbabwe Equine News
Lily Blue, a two-time winner so far, takes on her stable companions Prescott and Gimmethegreenback in the 1600m Breeders Fillies Mile (L) at Borrowdale Park on Sunday.
When the daughter of Black Minnaloushe (USA) won the 1200m Champion Juvenile Stakes on July 27 she was involved in a tight finish with Prescott, and Gimmethegreenback was close behind. Once again, they meet at level weights here. This will be the first time Bridget Stidolph’s trio runs further than 1200m.
Lily Blue looks the pick on the strength of her two wins and a close second to Christofle, when receiving 6.5 kgs, in her last outing. That day Cool Solution and Kimberley Kid finished behind her.
However, Sunday’s race is not so simple.
The Gokhan Terzi yard sends out Wijdaan, ex Mike de Kock and by What A Winter. Although still a maiden Wijdaan was placed in the last two of her four starts in Gauteng, over 1500m and 1600m. It is generally accepted that Turffontein and Vaal form is superior to Borrowdale’s so this will be interesting.
The first race on the Borrowdale Park card is the 1600m Podcast Maiden Plate to be run at Greyville at 12.30 pm. This is the first leg of the Borrowdale Park Place Accumulator with 13 runners so good luck with that.
In the past it was quite common for a race from another centre to be included as part of the Borrowdale card, but later in the afternoon and involving a major feature, which meant keen punters were familiar with most of the runners. If I recall correctly Trifectas and Quartets on these external events went down well.
The Fillies Mile, last race of the day at Borrowdale, is due off at 16.10.
THE HISTORY OF THE CENTAUR SYNDICATE (From a very proud member) Jackie Cocksedge
It is a well-known phenomenon that sometimes people have a vision that is alien to those around them and the idea founders for lack of support, but other times the seed falls on fertile ground and flourishes.
Such a time occurred in 1977 when two very young, but enthusiastic young men were fired by the idea of encouraging greater participation in racehorse ownership at Borrowdale Park Racecourse and took it upon themselves to do so.
Peter Lovemore and Robin Bruss of the Rhodesia Bloodstock Agency, placed an advertisement in the local daily paper The Rhodesia Herald on February 9th, inviting interested people to attend a presentation at a local hotel to hear about the benefits of forming a racing syndicate. The event was fairly well supported and curiosity got the better of some of the attendees, and thus the first racing Syndicate evolved in this country.
Amongst the interested were Frank Gaby, Arthur Ainscow and John Smith. The net was cast further and it was considered important that within the Syndicate, someone with a knowledge of racing be included to guide the Syndicate in the right direction so successful racehorse owner Raymond Schur was brought on board. After many get social together’s and lots of debate the syndicate was named The Centaur Syndicate, after the mythical half-man and half-beast.
Founding members were Raymond Schur the nominee, Arthur Ainscow, Philip Whaley, Jack Rickards, Jim McDermott, Joan Callaghan, Frank Gaby and John Smith. And thus these excited 8, armed with sales catalogues and full of enthusiasm converged at the Harare Showgrounds to purchase their first champion racehorse. Sadly this did not come to pass, as Lunilla did not set the world on fire achieving a rather paltry 1 win and 3 places from 13 career starts. Ah well, back to the well for the intrepid and undaunted syndicate.
Their next purchase hit pay dirt and the racing “bug” was firmly entrenched. Quite early on the 1976 National Yearling Sale, a very good looking son of Quintipor (Ire) was consigned by leading breeder Geoff Armitage. Probably because he was early in the Sale, he did not command top dollar and a disappointed Geoff let him be sold for $6400.00. Named The Toff, he took every member of that Syndicate to experience the most amazing thrills and euphoria that only owning a good racehorse can evoke.
Trained by Roy Magner, The Toff was victorious in 14 races, reeling off triumph after triumph, conquering all who stood in his path. He raced until he was an eight-year-old, then retired to stud. No big race escaped him, but perhaps for his owners, their greatest thrill must have been when he won the 1981 Castle Tankard, Zimbabwe’s premier race. It is doubtful any racehorse has a poem written for him, but The Toff did, penned by Arthur “Ginger” Ainscow after The Toff’s Triple Crown campaign. (The poem appears at the end of this article.)
Sadly of the founding Syndicate, only three are still in the land of the living. Fortunately, John Smith is as enthusiastic today as he was way back then. John is the glue that keeps enthusiasm high and runners still gracing the green, green grass at Borrowdale Park.
The Syndicate has been exceptionally lucky. Horses campaigned in the famous Orange colours with the Black Maltese cross are notably Bolero Beat, Poem, Walter Wolf, Glen Monarch, Earl Of Surrey and Perfect Grace. Plus many more minor winners.
On the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the Centaur Syndicate, a lunch party was held to honour the occasion.
Now in its 43rd year, a world record, the Syndicate is still going strong. We are represented by Bugatti Blue doing us proud on the course and we have exciting times ahead with an about to race 3-year-old Divine Jet colt named Globe Master, and a Jackson two-year-old acquisition from the recent BSA Two-Year-Old Sale which has been named Magnus Maximus.
Robin Bruss recounts the formation of The Centaur Syndicate at the 40th Anniversary celebration.
The Toff (Son of Quintipor)
I’ll tell you a racing story Of an ‘orse that won honour and fame At Borrowdale Park in Salisbury town The Toff – that’s ‘is name. You’ve heard of famous owners Who have horses by the string Well t’ Toff has several owners A most unusual thing There’s Joan and John and Jim and Jack Just for alliteration While Phil and Ray and Frank and Ack Complete the Syndication The trainer, named Roy Magner Is a man of some renown Said “Look ‘ere lads That ‘orse of yours is good for‘t triple crown Eee at this great news They were all agog So‘t horse was trained To tackle the job The trainer got down to business He really did his stuff The Toff hadn’t been on the course for a month And his ear ‘oles were bunged up with fluff But the colt and t’ trainer were undismayed And settled their programme just grandly They’d show everybody of what he was made And was in fact quite handy
First leg of‘t crown was‘t Guineas And proudly the horse did his ton He passed every horse on that bloomin’ course Except for the blighter that won! But next time round was this Quintipor’s son, A dark horse who made no mistakes He showed up the best and flayed all the rest In‘t coveted Spey Bridge Stakes By now as you may guess The Syndicate was all a flutter But trainer Magner – clever sage Some wise advice was ‘eard to utter “Ah knows this horse ‘as done quite well But don’t you get all cocky In this ‘ere game you’ve heard it tell A lot depends on ‘t jockey” The Benson & Hedges Stakes tha’ knows Is greatest jewel in‘t Crown And country-wide all‘t three-year-olds Will try to get him down So‘t great day came for Benson Stakes With jockey Reid upon his metal The man and horse were a handsome pair The Toff himself – in finest fettle And when at last the gates flew open And t’ announcer cried “They‘re off Eight pair of eyes, you rightly guessed Were glued upon The Toff Around the course the pace was set By three-year-olds a plenty And Reid and t’ Toff just eased their way Through field of just on twenty Down the straight the runners came The winner still in doubt Eight pairs of eyes in frenzy strained Till “It’s The Toff, came t’mighty shout” Eight pairs of arms led winner in To most important place So full of praise for Reid and Toff For that momentous race And when the day was ended And all the praise was said Eight pairs of feet they staggered down And tucked ‘in up in bed
It was no race once Fareeq got down to business in the 1800m AFZ Charity Handicap and won going away from stable companion Yarraman.
Heir Line was third and Wolves Among Sheep, who went onto the pace, ran fourth.
This was the fifth winner of the afternoon for Gokhan Terzi’s Borrowdale Park satellite yard. Deon Sampson scored with Fareeq, and Rebellious Queen, while Brendon McNaughton won with Queen Of The Ring and Master ‘n Commander. And Apprentice Omeara Rusike had her first win on Lunar Dancer.
All Terzi’s winners are owned by Gengiz Goksel.
Congratulations to the winning connections. Well done.
Local jockeys and apprentices filled all the saddles in the first race, a 1100m MR 70 Handicap, at Borrowdale Park today. The apprentices came to the fore with Lunar Dancer (Rusike), and Mill Creek (Satombo) being involved in a hard-fought finish.
After a race review Lunar Dancer got the nod. Nicky Sibanda on Western Shamrock came third and White Winter (McNaughton) fourth.
Well done Omeara.
Lunar Dancer, a five-year-old Philanthropist (USA) mare, is from the Gokhan Terzi yard and owned by Gengiz Goksel. She was bred by Klavervlei Stud and has now won three races.
The focus is on Zimbabwe’s Air Force at Borrowdale Park on Saturday and the main race, the AFZ Charity Handicap over 1800m, is due off at 16.10.
Of the five runners lining up for this event Heir Line and Fareeq are likely to be the main players but be prepared to be surprised!
HEIR LINE 1 Drawn 5 60.0 (MR 83) N Takawira Kirk Swanson
Six-y-old gelding by Dynasty out of a Jet Master mare. Won the 1900m Republic Cup in 2018 and has altogether won five times from 1600m to 2000m. Can carry weight and is versatile having been placed in his two previous starts over 1450m and 2700m. Giving weight to the field on Saturday but a big runner.
This 7-year-old gelding by Nadeem (AUS) won five races down south from 1400m to 1600m but has yet to enter the Number 1 box at Borrowdale after five starts. However far from disgraced having been placed in the
Independence Trophy, the OK Grand Challenge, and the Republic Cup. His last outing was in the 1600m Paul Gorringe Testimonial where he was three-parts of a length behind Saturday’s runner Wolves Among Sheep who was receiving 3 kgs. He gives Wolves Among Sheep 4 kgs now.
True to her breeding Arte, a 6-year-old mare by Ideal World (USA) out of a Fort Wood (USA) mare, won 7 races in South Africa from 2200m to 3200m. Placed second from three starts at Borrowdale. In the 1900m Republic Cup Arte was 1.25 lengths behind Tandava and before that went down to Rawedge by a whisker over 2700m. Saturday’s trip is probably on the short side but Arte’s a game girl.
By Philanthropist (USA) out of a Western Winter mare, this five-year-old gelding has won four races from
1600m to 1800m so is distance suited. He won over 1600m at the last meeting finishing in front of Fareeq and Yarraman. The last mentioned met Wolves Among Sheep at level weights in the Paul Gorringe Testimonial but is better off here.
YARRAMAN 5 Drawn1 54.5 (MR 72) B McNaughton Gokhan Terzi
It will be interesting to see how Yarraman fares with weight on his side. The five-year-old son of Await The Dawn (USA) has won three from 1600m to 1900m but steps up in class now.
Thanks to Gavin Macleod, Jenny Stocks and Andrew Philip for the photographs.
Those new to racing in Zimbabwe may be puzzled when reference is made to the Spey Bridge Awards, and Jackie Cocksedge was the obvious choice to supply some of the finer details.
Jackie joined the Rhodesia Bloodstock Agency in 1976 and says, “I was very privileged to have Peter Lovemore and Robin Bruss as my mentors. The Thoroughbred Breeders Association took over the RBA after Peter and Robin left to take up job offers outside our borders. I ran the TBA thereafter, with a few gap years off to run a small stud.
“As far as the Spey Bridge Awards go, I think I was probably a panellist for about three- quarters of its existence and chaired it, I think, 5 or 6 times. “Inspired by the American Eclipse Awards and the UK equivalent now sponsored by Cartier, the custodians of the fledgeling Zimbabwe Racing Museum was motivated to establish our very own Zimbabwe racing “Oscars” in 1986.
“Peter Lovemore proposed the awards be named after Spey Bridge, a magnificent racehorse bred by the doyenne of breeding Mrs Ella Lockie at her farm, Ellerslie, in the Bromley district of Rhodesia. Spey Bridge was born in 1950 but campaigned in South Africa winning a multitude of top-class races including the prestigious Durban July Handicap in 1956. The only Zimbabwean racehorse to achieve this until Ipi Tombe in 2002.
“Suitable floating trophies were commissioned and each was hand-carved individually in Africa stone by Alex Million at the Canon Paterson Craft centre in Mbare. The statues are extremely heavy and irreplaceable so are used for display purposes only.
“Spey Bridge Categories are Champion 2-Year-Old, Champion 3-Year-Old Female, Champion 3-Year-Old Male, Champion Sprinter, Champion Older Horse and, the highest honour, Horse Of The Year. Human endeavor is recognised and awarded the Personality Of The Year. Provision is also made to award Special Awards if merited. Generally, each category is awarded annually, but the panel is reminded that if a category is not deserving of a title, then a vote of no award is recorded.
“The selection panel sits close to the end of the annual racing season, which in the Southern Hemisphere is 31st July. The panel consists of a chairperson who does not join the debate but has the casting vote in the event of a deadlock. “Panelists comprise the Handicapper, the Senior Stipendiary Steward, the Racing Commentator, Racing press or media correspondents, representatives of the Jockeys Association, the Owners & Trainers Association and Thoroughbred Breeders Association, and a Mashonaland Turf Club Steward. “Each panelist submits their recommendation for each category. Sometimes no debate is necessary as a horse may be an automatic recipient, but sometimes debate is varied and often a hung jury occurs. Sometimes the panel may regard a category as weak in a particular season and no award is given.
“The inaugural panel sat in 1986, chaired by Peter Lovemore. The gold standard was set with the colt, Solar Blaze, and the filly, Swingfire, garnering Champion Two-Year-Old. In subsequent years the panel found it impossible to nominate one of each sex, and the award morphed into one individual. “Ella’s Oracle garnered the 3-year-old filly title, and Match Winner the award for top 3-year-old colt. Tudor Sun won the Sprinter title which he held on to for three successive years. Catador was Champion Older Horse and Match Winner became the first Horse Of The Year. Geoff Armitage was voted Personality Of The Year.
“The panel is sworn to secrecy not to reveal the results until the racing awards presentations take place at a black-tie dinner/dance at an upmarket venue, usually around mid-September annually.
“Generally, the panel gets it right, and the racing and breeding industry applaud the recipients, but not in 1998. A right royal rumpus ensued when the panel voted for Ruby Clipper (NZ) as champion 2-year-old.
“The problem was the filly only campaigned once in Zimbabwe, going down by half-a-length to Blushing Becky in a Maiden Juvenile Fillies Plate. She then won her next start at Turffontein by 3 lengths, followed up with solid performances in the Debutante Stakes and Strelitzia Stakes and rounded off her 2-year-old career with a 4-length victory in the Grade 1 Allan Robertson Fillies Championship. An impressive campaign, but not in Zimbabwe. “The panel did not make that mistake again, even when Ipi Tombe did us so proud – she just got a Special Award for her efforts.
“The roster of Spey Bridge recipients over the years tells a tale of Zimbabwe champions who have captured the imagination of the public and thrilled racing fans with their achievements on the turf.
“We salute them.”
Thank you, Jackie, for the info and photograph…new to racing or not it is good to be reminded of the significance of familiar things.
Kirk Swanson’s star, In The Mood, with Norbert Takawira in the irons, showed her class at Borrowdale Park this afternoon when winning the 1260m Sable Flyers (LR) for the second time.
The five-year-old daughter of Bold Silvano has now won 9 races and placed 10 times in 21 starts. Perhaps racing up the straight isn’t her best game now but you wouldn’t have thought so once she drew level with stable companion Dunas Douradas and then went clear. Western Shamrock was third.
Owned by John Koumides, In The Mood was bred by Summerhill Stud. Congratulations to all the winning connections.
Once again, the 1260m Sable Flyers (LR), which is restricted to fillies and mares, has attracted a small field. However, there may be more to Saturday’s Borrowdale Park feature than first meets the eye.
The five-year-old Bold Silvano mare, IN THE MOOD, is the class horse in this four-horse field and has won seven races, mostly from 1600m to 1800m.
This time Kirk Swanson’s charge carries 60 kgs and initially I felt she would need further…until I remembered In The Mood won the 2018 Sable Flyers. That was also a four-horse race and she beat Elegant Beauty, who was giving away 6 kgs, by 5.50 lengths. On Saturday Norbert Takawira has the ride.
Although In The Mood carries top weight here I expect her to put up a good fight but, maybe, she might have more to do than I initially thought.
SOME SONG from Gokhan Terzi’s yard will receive 7 kgs from In The Mood and at the last race meeting she won her only start at Borrowdale over 1000m. The daughter of Oratorio (IRE), also a five-year-old, won a 1200m Maiden at the Vaal in March 2018.
My first reaction was that Some Song, with Brendon McNaughton up, was hard to assess but then it became interesting.
When Some Song won at Borrowdale, she was receiving I kg from stable mate WESTERN SHAMROCK who went down by 0.05 lengths. On Saturday there is a slight turnaround in weights.
To date Western Shamrock has only won a 1000m Maiden Plate (F) at the Vaal in February 2018, but one needs to look further. This four-year-old by Philanthropist (USA) ran third behind What A Dandy and Christofle in a 1260m MR 70 Handicap on July 27, receiving 6.5 kgs, and only three-parts of a length off the winner.
That day Cool Solution, It’s A True Story, Lady Carina and Flanders finished behind her and a repeat performance could bring Western Shamrock into the reckoning. Hennie Greyling rides.
But there’s more…
The Swanson stable also sends out DUNAS DOURADAS, a five-year-old Byword (GB) mare, and winner of 3 races from 1200m – 1800m.
Like Western Shamrock, Dunas Douradas is set to carry 52 kgs but Wes Marwing is likely to put up an extra 1.5. She is a consistent sort and certainly worthy of consideration.
There are seven races on Saturday’s card and the first is due off at 12.35 pm. The ZRP Charity Sable Flyers is scheduled for 16.15.
Photographs by Zimbabwe Equine News and Gavin MacLeod
The new kid on the Borrowdale Park block, Thomas Mason of Tomcat Racing, saddled three winners at the Sunshine Cup meeting on Saturday. Quite an achievement with such a small string in an 8-race card.
Of course, the cherry on top came when Rawedge held off Arte in a thrilling finish to the 2700m Sunshine Cup – winning margin 0.05 lengths – with top weight Heir Line only a length behind.
Giving credit where due Thomas says Apprentice Ashton Arries rode a clever race.
“Rawedge jumped out and stayed at the back until the start of the back straight when Ashton realised the pace was slowing down. He let Rawedge cruise up and take over the running at the 1800m mark. He set an even pace, taking advantage of the light weight. Just before the turn he kicked for home, catching the others off guard and they had to make up ground while carrying more weight.”
Before the race there was some speculation about who would set the pace and the Kirk Swanson trained Heir Line (Hennie Greyling) went to the front and stayed in touch all the way despite carrying 60 kgs. His stable companion, Arte (Wes Marwing), came from a long way back to engage in a fight for the finish with Rawedge. Both Heir Line and Arte were gallant in defeat and did well for their stable. Arte, a six-year-old mare by Ideal World (USA) gave the winner 6.5 kgs.
By Ravishing out of a Jallad (USA) mare, Rawedge is an eight-year-old gelding, and this was his ninth victory. He was bred by Dr G. Batz and Mr C. Batz, and is owned by Joseph Muya, Anna Mason and Bridget Parham Field. Mr Mr Muya and Mrs Mason are based in Kenya, and Mrs Parham-Field is out of Zimbabwe at present, so they missed out on the on-course excitement.
Congratulations to the winning connections. Your horse did you proud.
Earlier in the afternoon Tomcat Racing scored with Crown Brewed (Serino Moodley) in a 1200m MR 50 Handicap, and Battle Cry (Arries) was involved in a tight finish with Prairie Sky in a 1700m MR 55 Handicap.
Both the Gokhan Terzi and Swanson yards had two winners apiece – and not content with winning Kirk Swanson’s runners filled most of the minor places behind his winners. Bridget Stidolph scored with Enter The Dragon (Jarred Lee Samuel) in the 1200m Maiden Plate with Thomas Mason’s charge, Farm Yard Tractor (Arries), three-parts of a length behind.
Despite the unexpectedly cold weather this was an afternoon of enjoyable racing and a great beginning to Borrowdale’s 2019/20 season.
All seems set for a great day at Borrowdale Park on Saturday. It is the first meeting of the 2019/20 racing season – the inaugural running of the 2700m Sunshine Cup – plus some partying with the Parlotones, but more about that later.
The first race is off at 12.25pm and the main event, last
race of the day, and worth RTGS$ 30 000, is at 16 30. The six runners in the Sunshine Cup will
enter the stalls near the stands – so an opportunity to watch the start up
close and comfortable.
There are eight races on the card and finding winners after
the annual racing break requires some thought, plenty of guesswork, and a
little bit of luck. The course was
scarified during the break and the Mashonaland Turf Club have been watering the
turf as much as possible under existing circumstances. Hopefully, the going will be good, but it
wouldn’t hurt to arrange a rain dance.
There are two outright stayers in the 2700m event – Arte and Rawedge – and I will be disappointed if they are not involved in the finish. Kirk Swanson trains Arte, and Heir Line, while Thomas Mason will saddle Rawedge.
Former Castle Tankard winner, Roman Discent, and Leven Point, represent Bridget Stidolph’s yard. Gokhan Terzi and Assistant Trainer Vanessa Birketoft will be looking for an upbeat performance from Master ’n Commander….and the question is who sets the pace for a true run race?
I will not even attempt to answer that. And, I have to say …
the smaller the field the bigger the upset…but I’m joking, of course.
There are other thought-provoking contests on Saturday’s
card where several runners appear to be evenly matched. The Borrowdale tipsters
may struggle a bit later in the week.
Haga Haga, with Jarryd Penny up, won a 1600m MR 75 Handicap at the end of June.
Zimbabwe Apprentice Rodgers Satombo and Haga Haga team up for the first time in the fifth race, a 1600m MR 75 Handicap, at Borrowdale Park on Saturday.
It is a tough field, but a mile is Haga Haga’s game, and his rider claims 4 kgs.
Satombo has been involved in some close finishes, so, maybe this time!
Racing at Borrowdale Park in Harare - Zimbabwe 