When the going gets tough the tough get going, and Thomas Mason obviously believes this.

Starting a new stable from scratch is not easy at the best of times but, undaunted, Tomcat Racing’s new yard is looking spick and span and ready for more customers. Borrowdale Park desperately needs another competitive stable and I hope Thomas will soon get all the support he deserves.

He is one of those lucky people who loves what he does, and he has been a familiar face at Borrowdale for years.  He was born into racing as his mother, Anna Mason, trained in Denmark and Kenya.  Thomas attended senior school in Denmark and took the opportunity to ride work at that time.

He began his racing career in Zimbabwe with the late Murray Lindley, and subsequently joined Kirk Swanson’s yard in 2005, becoming an assistant trainer in 2009.  He has an eye for a good horse, having been influential in the acquisition of several local stars such as Cape Cod, Haga Haga, In The Mood, and Heir Line, to name a few.  He also understands the ins and outs of handicapping, as well as the rules and other intricacies of racing, better than most people.

Thomas sent out 5 runners in the closing stages of the 2018/19 racing season, contesting 8 races for two seconds, a third and a fourth.  Not bad for a start! At present, there are nine horses in the yard and there is stabling for 30.

Like most enthusiasts, Thomas follows the international racing scene closely and has a special fondness for English racing.  So, guess who managed to attend Royal Ascot this year?

I wish Thomas every success with his new venture and plenty of new horses, owners and syndicates in 2019/20. A contact number for Tomcat Racing is +263 775 528 489 or email mason_zim@yahoo.dk

Borrowdale Park will soon be gearing up for the first meeting of the 2019/20 racing season on Saturday, September 7.

Nominations are due on August 28, and Final Acceptances on September 2.

Vanessa Birketoft, who was attached to the Penny Fisher stable for several years, is now Assistant Trainer to Gokhan Terzi at his satellite yard, V Racing. The majority of the horses formerly with Penny Fisher are now with V Racing.

Penny Fisher’s final meeting at Borrowdale Park on Saturday July 27, was memorable.

In addition to winning the 1450 Breeders Sprint with Tandava – winning margin 6.50 lengths – her stable also won another three races.

Tandava, is owned and bred by Dave Rosser, and was ridden by Deon Sampson on Saturday, Coachella got off to a slow start and Bush Pilot went onto the pace. However, once Tandava made his move it was over bar the shouting.

Butchie Boy, Twilight Trip and Heir Line were placed,

Penny Fisher was on the board earlier with first and second in the 1800m MR 65 Handicap. Doubleosevenagain (Sampson), held on from fast-finishing Rose Diamond. Dunas Douradas came third. Doubleoseven is owned by Johnny Dardagan and was bred in Zimbabwe by Sarahdane Stud.

Rebellious Queen (Greyling) scored in the 1600m MR 50 Handicap with stable companion Hillah The Hun second. The daughter of National Emblem is owned by Gengiz Goksel.

Penny was back in the winners’ enclosure again with Yarraman (Sampson), also owned by Gengiz, in the 1600m Pinnacle Plate (80)!

For a send-off one can’t ask for much better than that.

It was good to see trainer Gavin Macleod back in action with Eureka Effect (C Habib) who won the 1700m Maiden Plate for Robyn Macleod.

There were no surprises in the 2000m Zimbabwe Oaks, won by Mia Finola with Caleb Habib in the irons. Trained by Bridget Stidolph, Mia Finola, by Var (USA) is owned by Newbury Racing (Pty) Ltd (nominee Mr D E Evans).

Ineffable ran second, then came Missy Franklin and Born to Shine.

Bridget Stidolph also won the first race on the Borrowdale Park card with Lute Society – Caleb Habib again. And the Penny Fisher Testimonial Champion Juvenile Stakes with Lily Blue (Wes Marwing) for Robyn Macleod and the Gin’ll Fix It Syndicate.

The last race of Borrowdale Park’s 2028/19 was won by What A Dandy with Denis Schwartz riding for owner John Koumides and trainer Kirk Swanson.

Congratulations to all the winning connections – and hoping to see you around a lot, Penny.

Photographs by Zimbabwe Equine News.

Tandava, trained by Penny Fisher, owned by Dave Rosser, and ridden by Deon Sampson won the 1450m Breeders Sprint at Borrowdale Park this afternoon – and no doubts about it.

Coachella got away to a slow start and Bush Pilot went onto the pace. However, once Tandava made his move it was over bar the shouting.

Butchie Boy and Twilight Trip were placed – fourth spot still undecided,

Congratulations to the winning connections. Penny has won four – so far.

When Penny Fisher’s charge, Rose Diamond, runs in the 1800m MR 65 Handicap at Borrowdale Park on Saturday, this Fencing Master (GB) filly will be going for five wins in succession.

It would be good if the four-year-old can do this one last time for Penny…but it’s a tricky field including Perfect Grace, Baumgartner, Double Tap, Borrowdale first-timer O Lucky Man, and plenty more.

Should be a great race.

Photograph by Gavin McLeod: Rose Diamond (nearest camera) getting up to beat Baumgartner, and Red Pollard over 1700m in May.

LAST MEETING OF 2018/19 SEASON

For Saturday Borrowdale Park has come up with a nine-race card, including three features, to round off the 2018/19 racing season.

The meeting begins at 12. 25 pm and the last race is at 17.05. Also, worth mentioning is that this time five trainers – Penny Fisher, Thomas Mason, Gavin McLeod, Bridget Stidolph and Kirk Swanson – have runners. There are several very competitive fields, and all seems set for interesting racing. Thinking caps will be required during most of the day.

Mia Finola with Calvin Habib up is likely to collect the 2019 Triple Tiara, having already won the first two legs, the 1600m Fillies Classic and the 1800m Silver Slipper. She takes on former rivals, Born To Shine, Missy Franklin and Ineffable in the 2000m Zimbabwe Oaks at 15.15. This daughter of Var (USA) came third to Three To Tango in the 2400m Zimbabwe Derby so should be hard to head once more.

Next race on the card at 15.50 is the Breeders Sprint over 1450m which was won last year by Super Good, with Saturday’s runner, Amsterdam, placed third. This time the line-up includes the 1900m Republic Cup winner Tandava, and top sprinter, Coachella, as well as Twilight Trip, Heir Line, Butchie Boy and Bush Pilot. Every horse will carry 60 kgs which makes this a tough one.

Between them, this field has won 45 races, but several tend to shine over more ground.

Although none can be described as 1450m specialists, Coachella, Twilight Trip and Butchie Boy have sprint form, and Tandava could surprise again. Although he scored over 1900m at the last meeting, he won the 1160m Stakes in South Africa, and prior to that a 1400m MR 85 Handicap at Turffontein. At one time he was also quite nifty up the Borrowdale straight.

The 1200m Penny Fisher Testimonial Champion Juvenile Stakes at 16.30 is rather disappointing in that the six runners are all from the Stidolph stable. Love To Bluff has won twice and, apart from first-timer Jericho, the rest are one-time winners. I quietly fancy the filly, Gimmethegreenback, but Jericho is by Master Of My Fate whose progeny has been making waves lately.

This will be the last chance to win at Borrowdale for some time as the course will be closed for annual maintenance. So roll on Saturday when all will be revealed.

Penny Fisher has decided not to renew her trainer’s license for the 2019/20 season and on Saturday will send out her last runners at Borrowdale Park.

To mark the end of an illustrious career in racing, the nine events carded are named after Penny and some of her winners. I remember when she was assistant trainer to Major Jack Perry way back when, but she was part of the scene before that.

When it began doesn’t matter. Penny Fisher will be missed, remembered, and is woven into the fabric of Zimbabwe racing.

What will we do, Penny, when you are not around to terrorise those who should be terrorised at Borrowdale Park? Racing needs its iron ladies and fortunately there have been a few.

Some years ago, Penny cried enough. She became a lady who lunched, briefly, but then returned to training. Could this happen again?

The ‘Fisher’ stable will remain in good hands. I will wait for an official announcement on who is taking over, but in the meantime don’t stress. Life goes on.

Have fun with your family, Penny, and please keep in touch with Borrowdale Park and your many racing friends.

The moment of truth (above) when it was clear Tandava, bred in Zmbabwe by his owner, Dave Rosser, was winning the 1900m Republic Cup GR 3.

By Century Stand (AUS) Tandava, former winner of the Senor Santa Stakes in RSA, when trained by Gokhan Terzi, beat Arte (G Cheyne) by 1.25 lengths, Fareeq (H Greyling) was close behind, and top-weight Simona (B Fayd’Herbe), fourth.

Both Tandava and Fareeq are trained by Penny Fisher, and Deon Sampson had the winning ride. During Saturday afternoon the Fisher yard led in two other winners – Centennial Gina and Rose Diamond.

Penny Fisher has decided not to renew her trainer’s license after the close of the 2018-2019 season, so the next Borrowdale Park meeting on July 27 will be her last. Penny has successfully trained at Borrowdale for many years and she will be missed. Not least for her outspoken comments over the years, and colourful personality.

Both Kirk Swanson and Bridget Stidolph saddled two winners each.

The Borrowdale tipsters floundered a bit on Saturday, resulting in some impressive Quartets, amounting to ZWL 2486.20 in the 1100m MR 50 Handicap won by Love To Bluff; ZWL 8763.80 in the 1700 m MR 55 Handicap where Rose Diamond scored, and ZWL 18331.70 for the Republic Cup Quartet.

The next race meeting is on Saturday, 27 July, and Borrowdale Park then stands down for its annual racing break.

TANDAVA DOES IT…with Deon Sampson up and trained by Penny Fisher.

This was the 23rd running of the Republic Cup GR3. Second too close to call at present between Arte and Fareeq. Simona Fourth. Winner owned by Dave Rosser.

Congratulations.

Still waiting to receive the results etc from the MTC and my generator won’t take the strain for much longer.

The Republic Cup is always a great day at Borrowdale Park, and never forget being on-course is better than watching on TV.

There will be plenty of high fashion about, but don’t be put off if casual is your thing. You will have company. Racing is really about the horses, thundering hooves, and screams from the crowd when a finish is almost too hot to handle.

It is a seven-race card with competitive fields and some top visiting jockeys in the mix. All of Bernard Fayd’Herbe, Greg Cheyne and Corne Orffer have plenty of big race experience in South Africa. I wonder what surprises they will spring here.

The first race on Saturday is due off at 12.25 pm and the 1900m Republic Cup (Gr3) is at 16.00pm.

Put all the troubles behind you, bring your family, and enjoy the outing.

Photograph by Zimbabwe Equine News

The RTGS 150 000 Republic Cup (Gr3) will be run at Borrowdale Park over 1900m on Saturday and what a line-up.

With the exception of Penny From Heaven and Tandava (back from his sojourn in RSA), the other 13 runners took part in at least one of the recent two big features – the 2000m Castle Tankard (Gr1) and the 1800m OK Grand Challenge (Gr2).

Peggson, winner of the 2019 Tankard, teams up again with Brendon McNaughton, and Simona, who won the OK Grand Challenge in 2018 and 2019, will be piloted by Bernard Fayd’Herbe.

The visiting jockeys this week are particularly interesting, and I hope Borrowdale Park will rise above the current problems besetting Zimbabwe. We like to impress those who have not been here before.

Apprentice Ashton Arries has the ride on Amsterdam, while Keagan de Melo once again rides Heir Line, winner of the Republic Cup last year. Corne Orffer will be on 2019 Zimbabwe Derby winner Three To Tango, and Greg Cheyne rides Arte. Jarryd Penny retains the ride on Verdier (third in the OK) as does Hennie Greyling on Fareeq (second in the OK).

Serino Moodley will be back at Borrowdale on In The Mood; Deon Sampson rides Tandava, Wes Marwing Penny From Heaven, Sihle Cele is on Bush Pilot, and Oswald Noach on Wolves Among Sheep.

Morgan Nyamagwete (Leven Point), along with Brendon McNaughton, flies the flag for Zimbabwe.

With half the field carrying less than 53 kgs I am not sticking my neck out here… so what’s new?

Simona is set to carry 60 kgs, Peggson 59, Amsterdam 57, Heir Line 56, Tandava 55.5, Three To Tango 54, and Fareeq 53.

All things being equal (I mean if I had electricity and could go online to check on a few things) I would rabbit on about the turnaround in weights, previous runs and so forth. However, big races being what they are the lack of information may not matter.

For sentimental reasons, many people will be rooting for top-weighted Simona on Saturday. This may be the five-year-old mare’s last appearance at Borrowdale Park.

The daughter of Gimmethegreenlight (AUS) out of a Western Winter (USA) mare, has won 10 and been placed 11 times from 28 starts. She certainly has broodmare potential, but Zimbabweans will be sad to see her go.

The three stables involved in this Republic Cup all field runners with some claims to fame. Bridget Stidolph
will saddle Simona, Peggson, Roman Discent (the 2018 Tankard winner), Leven Point, Bush Pilot and Wolves Among Sheep.

Fareeq (AUS), Verdier and Tandava will represent Penny Fisher’s yard.

On paper Kirk Swanson also has a fairly strong hand with Heir Line, Three To Tango, Arte, Amsterdam, In The Mood and Penny From Heaven.

At this stage, it’s all in the lap of the gods. May the best horse, on the day, win and all the runners return safely.

And, if you are listening, gods, make sure ZESA comes to the party.

Come what may racing at Borrowdale Park continues to keep punters on their toes, with several close finishes on Sunday afternoon.

The main race, an 1800m Pinnacle Plate 80 was won by In The Mood with Verdian (J. Penny) only half a length back, then Solinski (0.75). Sherman Brown rode the winner for Kirk Swanson and owner John Koumides.

In The Mood has now won five of her last six starts. By Bold Silvano, she was bred by Summerhill Stud (Pty) Ltd.

Prior to that the Swanson stable had led in Haga Haga in the 1600m MR 75 Handicap, and Pirate Hunter who won the 1700m MR 50 Handicap. Both cliffhangers involving stablemates.

Haga Haga, by Mullins Bay (GB), finished half a length clear of Perfect Grace, with Bugatti Blue only 0.05 lengths off the second horse. Jarryd Penny piloted Haga Haga, who is owned by Ben Mugabe and Ron Mhizha and was bred by Summerhill Stud.

Pirate Hunter (S Brown), another son of Mullins Bay (GB) bred by Summerhill Stud, held on to beat Wee Doch ‘n Dorris by 0.10 lengths in the 1700m MR 50 Handicap, and Silver Buck was also right up there. The winner is owned by Anna Mason, Sheldene Chant, Merlyn Chant, Guy Martell and Sterling M Miller.

The Penny Fisher yard also saddled three winners on Sunday – Silver Coin (J Penny), Sunrise Ruby (J Penny) and Clash City Rockers (H Greyling). Unfortunately, I have not received photographs of this trio, or any lead-in pics of anyone. Thanks to Gavin Macleod for the photographs that appear here.

Silver Coin scored in the 1200m Graduation Plate, beating stable companion Lunar Dancer by a length. He is by Silvano (GER) and was bred by Drakenstein Stud. The four-year-old gelding is owned by Gengiz Goksel and Trinisha Pillay.

Sunrise Ruby by King Of Kings (IRE) came to light in the 1600m MR 55 Handicap, with Battle Cry a whisker behind and Rebellious Queen 0.35 lengths off the winner. Bred by Bosworth Farm Stud, Sunrise Ruby is owned by Dave Rosser and Gengiz Goksel.

Clash City Rocker, also owned by Dave and Gengiz, triumphed in the 1000m MR 49 Handicap, one and a half lengths clear of Lily Blue. By Seventh Rock (AUS), the three-year-old gelding was bred by Rathmor Stud.

Bridget Stidolph’s two winners had the distinction of winning by the widest margins of the day. Gimmethegreenback beat stable companion Santolina by two lengths, and Christofle was three and a half lengths ahead off What A Dandy.

First-timer Gimmethegreenback (B McNaughton) won a 1100 Maiden Juvenile Plate and she is owned by Gary de Jong, Scott Buchan, Neil Evans, Ashley Dixon, Tim Herdon, Richard Morgan and Ryan Sherwood. This filly was bred by Millstream Farm.

Christofle by Tiger Ridge (USA), easily won the 1260m MR 70 Handicap. Bred by Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein, Calvin Habib was in charge. The owners are Messrs S H Murray, C Davenport, K Hatendi, Duncan Jones, G M Littleford, G. Martell, H D Parbhoo, C M Rambo, P C Rugg, D C Samuels and S W Shutt.

Congratulations to all the winning connections.