Philanthropy set the pace and won the 1700m MR 55 Handicap at Borrowdale Park on Saturday, finishing 1.75 lengths clear of stable companion Hashtag Rounda.

Bred by Klavervlei Stud, the five-year-old was ridden by Deon Sampson and is trained by Bridget Stidolph. The gelding is owned by Scott Buchan and Neil Evans.

Congratulations.

First spoils of the new season at Borrowdale Park went to Supa Memories, with Norbert Takawira in the irons. The Fencing Master (GB) gelding was bred by Sandford Farm (Pty) Ltd and he beat stablemate Dusha by 1.25 lengths, in a 1000m Maiden Plate.

Congratulations to owners Mark Wood, Dave Rosser and Kirk Swanson.

Deon Sampson was on fire this afternoon, riding five winners on the 7-race card, including Life Is Good who came good in the 1000m AFZ Borrowdale Sprint.

Owned and bred by Robin Bruss, Life Is Good has now won seven races. The five-year-old Var(USA) gelding is trained by Bridget Stidolph. Congratulations!

Minor places in the feature went to Road To Dubai (Nyamagwete), Coachella (Takawira) and Flanders (Sibanda).

Kirk Swanson saddled four winners during the afternoon and Sampson was aboard Haga Haga, who scored in the 1600m MR 75 Handicap. Kirk’s other winners were Supa Memories (Takawira) in the 1000m Maiden Plate; Bold Australienne (Brown) in the 1600m Maiden Plate, and Switchblade (Sampson) who won a 1200 MR 52 Handicap.

Apart from Life Is Good, Sampson also steered Philanthropy to victory in the 1700m MR 55 Handicap, and It’s A True Story in the 1450m MR 65 Handicap. Both these horses are in the Stidolph yard.

Very well done to everyone concerned…and to the MTC groundsmen and staff. The penetrometer reading was 22.

Photograph by Zimbabwe Equine News. Deon Sampson and It’s A True Story.

Racing wouldn’t be racing without a great deal of muttering, and some shouting, while we stab a few backs, smiling sweetly as we do so. That’s what makes life interesting I suppose.

This time it began when – shock and horror – the Borrowdale Park Final Fields were published. Seven races with only 32 runners – how low can we go? I even had to quit hermit crab mode and go out and speak to people, to find out what went on. Now, having run the full gamut of rage, grief, despair and depression, I have returned to normal. It is a case of so what… we are going to race… think of half full rather than half empty glasses… and, hopefully, this will not occur again.

It couldn’t happen… but it did. Having entered a number of runners for Saturday’s race meeting, Penny Fisher scratched all of them on Monday because of misgivings about the going, coupled with continuing frustration about the state of the training track. Penny was not trying to be difficult, “simply putting her horses first”, something she, as a trainer, is absolutely entitled to do. Owners were aware when their horses were nominated that they would be scratched if Penny decided conditions had not improved sufficiently.

Quite apart from the fact that Penny doesn’t believe in using a race as a training gallop, she believes “the course has not had enough time to recover from the delayed scarification, there is insufficient regrowth, and it is very hard.”

Bridget Stidolph and Kirk Swanson have chosen to race as they consider the condition of the course is much the same as it was in July, and we have raced, previously, with penetrometer readings of 16 and 17 at this time of year.

In 2014 at the race meeting on September 7, the reading was 16. It was 17 on September 20, 2015; 16 on September 10, 2016, and 20 on September 24, 2017. And, that said, I hope at least one decent rain is not too far away.

Unfortunately, finances have not improved during the racing break so it would not be surprising if there were some delays and maintenance hitches during this period. Continue reading →

The feature race at Borrowdale Park on Saturday is the 1000m AFZ Borrowdale Sprint where Bridget Stidolph has a strong hand with Coachella, Super Good and Life Is Good, all nominated for the 2017/18 Spey Bridge Champion Sprinter award, and Flanders, who shares bottom weight with Road To Dubai.

COACHELLA (above) is a 5-year-old gelding by Alado (GB) and has won 6 races and been placed 5 times from 14 starts. Wesley Marwing rides – Drawn 4 – 61 kgs.

SUPER GOOD (above) –  is a 6-year-old gelding by Announce out of a Dynasty mare. Seven wins and 20 places from 33 starts. Trained by Bridget Stidolph – Brendon McNaughton rides – Drawn 2 – 60 kgs.

LIFE IS GOOD (above) –  a 5-year-old gelding by Var (USA) out of a Smarty Jones (USA) mare. Six wins. Trained by Bridget Stidolph – Deon Sampson rides – Drawn 5 – 58.5 kgs.

KINGSTON PASSAGE – (Unfortunately no photograph available) is a 3-time winner and placed 3 times from 9 starts – all over 1000m. Mostly at Kenilworth. Last start 16 June, unplaced. 5 year-old gelding by Western Winter (USA) out of a Horse Chestnut mare. First race in Harare. Trained by Kirk Swanson – Sherman Brown rides – Drawn 6 – 57 kgs.

FLANDERS (above) – four-year-old gelding by Gimmethegreenlight (AUS) out of a Captain Al mare. Six wins and 5 places from 13 starts. Trained by Bridget Stidolph – Nikki Sibanda rides – Drawn 1 – 52 kgs.

ROAD TO DUBAI –  Seven-year-old gelding by The Sheik. Nine wins from 1100 to 1300m. The last time he carried 52 kgs was in November 2015 when he won over 1200m beating Gentle Brook. Trained by Kirk Swanson – Morgan Nyamagwete rides – Drawn 3 – 52 kgs.

The first race on the seven race card is due off at 11.50 am.  In case you are wondering who the new TV presenters are – Dirk Viljoen and Mark Pozzo will be in action, alternating, depending on their schedules.

Zimbabwe’s Annual Racing Awards

Racing awards are taking place everywhere but due to the annual racing break in Zimbabwe no announcements have been made so far.

However, the Spey Bridge panel has met and, for the first time, is releasing names of horses nominated in the different categories, where applicable. Most of the other racing awards are based on statistics.

The Spey Bridge trophies were first awarded in 1985/86 and named in honour of Spey Bridge, who was owned and bred in this country by Mrs Ella Lockie. In 1956 Spey Bridge was South Africa’s record stake earner. Since then others have kept the Zimbabwe banner flying, topped by Ipi Tombe, winner of the Vodacom Durban July and the Dubai Duty Free Stakes.

Over the years there have been many deserving horses and people in our racing industry, and making final selections has not always been easy. Spey Bridge awards are not automatically bestowed by the panel – they have to be earned – and sometimes an award is withheld.

The actual Spey Bridge Floating Trophies, with names engraved, provide a solid record of achievements in our racing industry. Each trophy was individually carved in Africa Stone by Alex Million at the Cannon Paterson Centre Mbare. They are very heavy and fragile and cannot be replaced, so they don’t actually float and winners receive mementoes.

Prior to her resignation in October 2016, Jackie Cocksedge had served on the Spey Bridge Panel for 30 years, latterly as Vice-Chairman and Chairman. Someone should twist her arm and make her come back as Thomas Mason, who took over as Chairman, is now based in South Africa.

Another prestigious award is the Paul Muscutt Trophy, presented by the Muscutt family in memory of Zimbabwean jockey Paul Muscutt who died tragically in a plane accident.

SPEY BRIDGE 2017/2018 NOMINEES

Spey Bridge Champion Three-Year-Old Female – Wild Imogen and Raven Girl

Spey Bridge Champion Three-Year-Old Male – Peggson, Knuckleball and Butchie Boy

Spey Bridge Champion Sprinter – Coachella, Supa Good and Life Is Good

Spey Bridge Champion Older Horse – Ashton Park, Simona and Roman Discent

Spey Bridge Horse Of The Year – Knuckleball and Simona

Photograph: The Paul Muscutt Trophy which was won by Morgan Nyamagwete, and presented by Joyce Piers, in 2015.

Borrowdale Park’s 2017/2018 racing season has come and gone… (did someone say “Thank God?”).

It was a hard year whichever way one looks at it – but we are still here. Our horses continue to provide the usual thrills and excitement but, although it is customary to concentrate on their efforts in this sort of wrap-up, I would rather talk about people. All those who have continued to hang in there, buy horses, show up at race meetings and remain enthusiastic, regardless.

In terms of progress, this has been a period of marking time rather than surging forward, both on the racing front and in Zimbabwe generally. However, we must believe next year will be better. We are good at that and have been doing it for years.

The Chairman, Stewards and Staff of the Mashonaland Turf Club have been unable to achieve all they hoped for, due to extremely difficult circumstances. We like to criticise but must also give credit where it is due. Racing has continued and they have not thrown in the towel. The major race meetings were staged, and traditions such as the Zimbabwe Derby maintained.

There have been issues including problems with starting stalls, lack of communication and poor attendance – but we are not the only racecourse having to contend with that.

The committee of the Mashonaland Owners & Trainers Association have also done their bit behind the scenes and held card calls and a successful Ladies Luncheon. The Ipi Tombe Room is still the place to be, during and after a race meeting, and long may that continue. The social side of racing is so important.

Zimbabwe owners all deserve a Bells – and so do the South African owners who have given us support. As for our diminished line-up of trainers, words fail me. They have had to face almost unimaginable problems but their horses look good, and so far no-one has gone completely mad.

We desperately need more trainers – and more horses to go with them. Well done Bridget Stidolph, Penny Fisher and Kirk Swanson. Gavin Macleod is operating with a very small string, which is never easy – he is also busy transporting horses and taking photographs.

Pictures can take the place of a thousand words – which is very evident on Facebook. Personally, I am so grateful to Gavin, Andrew Philip and Jenny Stocks for the constant stream of pics.

I haven’t mentioned our faithful sponsors, jockeys – both local and visiting – the grooms, and the MTC ground staff. It goes without saying that we couldn’t have done without you and thank you for being there.

And then there are those people, who do not serve on Boards and Committees, but come to the party when the situation is dire and rescue is needed. You know who you are and I salute you.

Last but not least is Avalon Follett-Smith and her Friends of Borrowdale Park project. When she informed me a few months ago of her intention to “paint the racecourse” I thought she had lost her mind. However, they have made a very good start – what a difference some paint makes. More about that at a later date.

I don’t normally hand out bouquets to other horse people involved in show jumping, dressage, polo and so forth… probably because I am consumed with envy. It irks me to admit that while we have been taking one step forward and one step back you have been building state-of-the-art arenas, collecting sponsorships and fans. Congratulations…I really am glad you are out there…promoting horses in general and providing another career for some of our ex-racehorses.

What is on my wishlist for Borrowdale Park in 2018/19 – apart from the obvious?
Please, will someone wave a magic wand and produce an attractive watering hole (apart from the Ipi Tombe Room), as well as a welcoming tea room where race-goers can sit in the sun and enjoy a racing afternoon.

If we can once again provide some of the facilities we used to have, I am sure the people will come.

Photograph: We still have our magic moments. Rank outsider Roman Discent won the 2018 Castle Tankard and made some deserving “new” owners very happy.

Mia Finola, by Var (USA), played catch me if you can with her four stables mates, and Pas de Deux, in the 1450m Champagne Stakes at Borrowdale Park on Sunday – but they couldn’t.

The two-year-old filly beat Born To Shine by 2.50 lengths with Pas de Deux another two lengths further back. Party In The Park was scratched and Rain Spider, who did not live up to expectations, over-raced in the early stages with his tongue over the bit.

The winner is owned by Newbury Racing (Pty) Ltd, trained by Bridget Stidolph and ridden by Calvin Habib – a trio which scored earlier in the day when Simona won the1600m Fillies Stakes. Mia Finola was bred by Piemonte Stud.

Sunday was a red letter day for Bridget who won six of the eight races carded, leaving the result of the 2017/18 Zimbabwe Trainers Championship in no doubt.

Hearty congratulations to everyone concerned.

on some things lovely …

Thomas Mason, long-time TV Presenter at Borrowdale Park, and Assistant Trainer at Swanson Racing, is heading south during the racing break to become Assistant Trainer to Michael Miller in KZN. 

He is seen here with Fani Chambers and tomorrow’s race meeting will wrap up his stint at Borrowdale. We wish Tom every success with his new venture but he will be missed.

Go well Tom and come back soon for a visit.

Photograph by Zimbabwe Equine News.

…then that’s it until September…

The Borrowdale Park race meeting on Sunday is the last one before the annual racing break – so no more local racing until September. To soften that blow there are eight races on the card, the first due off at 11.30 am.

With one or two exceptions these are particularly competitive fields, starting with the 1700m Summerhill Stud MR 55 at noon where it is quite hard to say which of the 10 runners have n’t a hope of winning.  Haga Haga drops in class and pays the penalty, carrying 61 kgs.  Philanthropy is on 60 kgs, and this time Wee Doch ‘n Dorris comes in with 55.5kgs.  If it wasn’t for his wide draw I might really fancy his chances.  In between, there is all of Red Savage, It’ a True Story, Battle Cry and Red Rebel.  This should be a worthwhile Quartet – if you can narrow it down to four horses.

Main feature on Sunday is the 1450m Champagne Stakes (L) for two-year-olds. Bridget Stidolph fields five of the seven runners, including Rain Spider, Born To Shine and Mia Finola.  Without doubt, Kirk Swanson and Penny Fisher will be hoping to upset that applecart with Party In the Park and Pas de Deux respectively.

All these runners have yet to try the 1450m trip and the Fencing Master (GB) filly, Pas de Deux is the only one with two wins under her belt. However, all of Byword (GB), Windrush (USA) and Var (USA) have progeny in this one which is due off at 14.45.  Anything could happen.

Another very interesting race is the 1600m Fillies Stakes where Simona, who never puts a foot wrong, takes on 8 fillies and mares.  The daughter of Gimmethegreenlight (AUS)  carries 60 kgs but is sure to top the betting boards.

Peggson carries 60 kgs in the 1700m Nadeson Park Pinnacle (80) – another race designed for Quartet fans who enjoy a challenge.

Expect some excellent racing and start studying form right now.

Photograph Zimbabwe Equine News: Rain Spider swept up to win the 1200m Champion Juvenile Stakes on June 17, narrowly beating Pas de Deux and Mia Finola.  This trio meet again on Sunday in the 1450m Champagne Stakes (L).

Edward The Seventh defied top weight and headed Jay Kay Two in the last stride of the last race at Borrowdale on Saturday – a 1200m MR 71 Handicap.

The three-year-old Seventh Rock (AUS) gelding has now won four of his eight starts and he was bred by Rumbavu Park Stud in Zimbabwe. He is owned by Christopher Peech Keagan de Melo was riding for Kirk Swanson.

Well done everyone.