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June 1 S.A. (Kenilworth) form analysis
Race 1 (1,500m) (4) RANDOLPH HEARST finished well to win a good race on April 21. He will love the step-up in trip. Will take some beating. (1) ALL THE RAGE stayed on nicely for third behind Dreamworld in the Grade 3 Winter Nursery on May 4. Over more ground and from a good draw, he will be right there in the finish. (3) ROLAND GARROS caught the eye last time to win his maiden in style. He will get better and stronger with more racing. (2) SIERRA SAGRADA was very disappointing on May 13. He is much better than that, and can bounce back. Race 2 (1,400m) (3) GIMMETHATPEARL ran third behind Time For Love in the Listed Ladies Mile on May 4. She can be a tricky ride, but she is packed with ability. (6) MY ONLY WEAKNESS won well on April 28. Even with a five-point penalty for that win, she will remain competitive at this level. (5) KAMCHATKA returns from a short break of 77 days. If she does not need the run, she will be amongst the places. (2) ROYALS is much better than her recent form suggests. She could surprise on her day. Race 3 (1,950m) (3) SONG TO THE MOON showed tremendous heart to win last time, even though it was a small field. He is progressive and should love this trip of 1,950m. (1) WE HAVE TOUCHDOWN ran a great race behind La Pulga on April 14. He should be right there in the finish from a good draw. (5) PINOT GRIGIO ran on strongly to win going away at the line on May 6. He was given five points for that win. Watch him closely, he will be doing some good work late. (4) DUBBELOSIX powered away from his field to win like a smart horse on April 28. He was given six points for that victory, and must have a solid winning chance again in this tricky race. Race 4 (1,950m) (2) PAST AND PRESENT got fired up by a false start and had no luck in running on May 4. This consistent sort will take a lot of beating in this open maiden race. (3) BEAUTIFUL SIDE ran a top race from a wide draw on April 21. Blinkers stay on. Nice draw. (7) COPPER PLATE showed absolutely no speed last time in the 1,200m race at Kenilworth. He should appreciate the step-up in trip, even though he will need to improve quite a bit to win. (10) MOMENT OF TRUTH is much better than his last run suggests. If he gets some cover early, he will be running on. Race 5 (1,400m) (1) LA DIVINA won a lovely race on May 13. She will go very close again from a good draw. (3) ONI SAN is slowly starting to drop in the ratings. Jockey Gavin Lerena knows her well. Solid each-way chance. (2) SWIATEK ran a fair race behind My Only Weakness on April 28 despite drawing a wide gate. She has also dropped in the ratings. Watch for an improved run from this filly. (4) KAMAKAZI ran a better race last time. She might be able to sneak into the quartet. Race 6 (1,400m) (6) BOOGIEFIED returns from a short break of 77 days. He won a super race on March 16. If he does not need the run, he will be hard to beat. (3) RHYDIAN quickened up nicely to win a good race on May 13. He looks progressive and should love this trip of 1,400m. (1) TRIPPI'S SILK has run two cracking races in a row. He has the ability, but he is also very tricky. From a good draw, he will get the run of the race. (2) ARBITRATION finished third to Chasingtherainbow in a driving finish on April 16. He looks to be getting better with more racing, and definitely has a winning chance in this field. Race 7 (1,200m) (2) ABSOLUTELY YES ran a terrific second behind Dreamworld in the Grade 3 Winter Nursery on May 4. Big say in this Listed event. (6) SHE'S MY WORLD won her maiden well at Kenilworth on May 4. She will be right in the mix. (7) CHURCHILLIAN won his maiden in style on May 6. He looks to be a nice sprinter in the making. (5) THREE TIGERS finished his race beautifully last time. He can only improve. Race 8 (1,200m) (3) ONE LINER has been rested and gelded. Well regarded by yard. He will go very close to winning. (5) CIRCUMBENDIBUS moved up like a winner in his last start. Hard to fault his recent form. (14) ESCARPMENT is slowly starting to slide in the ratings. With the right run in transit, he could certainly be in the money. (6) STREET OUTLAW was beaten just under six lengths by the winner Paratrooper last time. He is better than that, and can bounce back. Race 9 (1,200m) (3) BECKY SHARP has run two terrific seconds in succession. She can be a difficult filly, but her recent form is good. (9) ELECTROMAGNETISM won her maiden in style on May 13. She is a young filly with lots of ability, and will go close to winning again. (15) MUSIC OF THE NIGHT ran a fair race in the Listed East Cape Nursery on March 14. Rested for 79 days. If she does not need the run, she will go close. (10) COLD BREEZE quickened up beautifully to win her maiden quite well on May 13. Include her in all bets. Race 10 (1,700m) (4) MAJOR MASTER had no luck in running when a closing fourth to Pinot Grigio on May 6. From a good draw, he will go close to winning the lucky last. (11) CHASINGTHERAINBOW finished like a train to win a good race on April 16. He has a striking turn of foot, and will be finishing powerfully again. (3) CONGRESSMAN won his last two races in excellent fashion and returns from a break of 71 days. If he gets away from the field early, he will be hard to catch. (1) HOODIA did everything right last time, but was nailed st the post by Chasingtherainbow. From a good draw, he will run a massive race again.
The South African
12-05-2025
- Business
- The South African
End of an era as Avontuur Estate closes breeding operations
In a deeply emotional moment for South African thoroughbred breeding, Avontuur Estate has officially closed its storied stud operations after nearly four decades of excellence. Under the watchful eye and expert stewardship of general manager Pippa Mickleburgh, the Somerset West-based farm became a cornerstone of local bloodstock development, renowned for producing elite racehorses and standing champion stallions. The estate, once home to legendary sires such as Var and Oratorio, will now continue solely as a wine farm, restaurant, manor house accommodation, events venue, and recreational hub. However, in racing terms, the iconic barns and paddocks that once echoed with the sounds of future champions have now fallen silent. Mickleburgh confirmed that the final transport carrier departed Avontuur Estate in early May, marking the end of a 35-year journey filled with triumphs, challenges, and unforgettable moments. 'This farm has been my life for 35 years. My blood, sweat and tears are in the soil,' Mickleburgh said, visibly emotional. 'Many of the staff have been around for 20 or even 40 years – they're like family. It's a very sad time for all of us.' The decision to wind down breeding operations was made by the owners of the estate, with all horses – including 27 broodmares – relocated to Ridgemont, another leading South African stud operation. Avontuur's impact on the industry is difficult to overstate. Season after season, the farm produced Grade 1 winners, and most recently, it achieved a final flourish when the One World colt, Dreamworld, bred by Avontuur, won the Grade 3 Winter Nursery at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth. Mickleburgh, attending the event, was visibly moved during the winner's lead-in. 'That was the final group winner for Avontuur while it was still an operational stud. It was incredibly emotional,' she said. At last month's 2025 BSA National Yearling Sale, Mickleburgh attended her final sale as Avontuur's representative. The standout colt October Rush (by Rafeef out of Grade 1 winner Miss October) was sold to Form Bloodstock for R4.25 million, topping the sale. In total, Avontuur's seven yearlings fetched R6.45 million, with an average of R921 429. Mickleburgh, whose tenure ends on 30 June, remains uncertain about her next chapter. 'I think I'll take a break. I need time to reflect. Avontuur is in my DNA, and watching it wind down has been very tough – physically and emotionally,' she said. Though its breeding chapter has closed, the legacy of Avontuur Thoroughbred Farm will live on through the champions it produced and the lives it touched within the South African racing community. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
