Latest news with #IndependentOnSaturdayGr2DrillHallStakes
IOL News
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Racing season opens with thrilling victory in R750 000 Independent On Saturday Gr2 Drill Hall Stakes
The Champions Season started with the running of the Independent On Saturday Gr2 Drill Hall Stakes at Hollywoodbets Greyville Racecourse on Saturday. Image: Leon Lestrade / Independent Newspapers. The atmosphere was electric at the Hollywoodbets Greyville Racecourse last Saturday as the 2025 Champions Season kicked off with the R750 000 Independent On Saturday Gr2 Drill Hall Stakes. The event attracted a vibrant crowd of fans, punters, and families, all eager to participate in this prestigious day of racing. Children enjoyed a range of free entertainment at KidZone, while adults livened up their experience at the Durban View Restaurant and participated in the thrilling Win if You Lose competitions that kept spirits high between the races. In a riveting 1400m race, the crowd roared as Gladatorian, the five-year-old son of Vercingetorix piloted by his usual jockey Sean Veale, rode to victory. The gelding triumphed over 11 formidable rivals, including last year's winner, Royal Aussie. Marketing and brand officer, Sinethemba Hlela, stated that The Independent on Saturday is proud of its ongoing relationship with Hollywoodbets Greyville and Gold Circle, which continues to grow. 'The Independent on Saturday Drill Hall Stakes is always an exciting highlight on our calendar, and we are thrilled to be part of the top-class racing this event brings,' she said. Graeme Hawkins from Gold Circle said Champions Season 2025 got off to a flying start last Saturday, with top-class racing and exciting finishes the order of the day. 'The traditional season-opener, the IOS Drill Hall Stakes, held over 1400m, produced a nail-biting finish between Gladatorian and See It Again, which set the tone for an outstanding day,' he said. Looking forward, Hawkins said the stage is set for a memorable Champions Season, with the R5 million Hollywoodbets Durban July being the highlight. 'At the first entry stage, 61 horses were nominated, including both Gladatorian and See It Again, and with the Daily News 2000 (Gr1) in two weeks' time, there is much anticipation amongst the racing fans,' he said. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Punter Raffiek Habib, 68, from Durban, who attends all the major races, recalled coming to the racecourse at the age of seven with his grandfather. 'I love horses running on this track; it's not about the money and gambling, it's about blueblood racing. The way horses are bred and the speed they have, it's exhilarating, and that's what I love about it. Although the jockey is on the horse getting that rush, I'm here, backing that horse and getting that same rush. The excitement is there,' he said. However, Habib said he did win some of the bets he placed and is looking forward to the season ahead.
IOL News
03-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Gladatorian triumphs in the R750 000 Independent On Saturday Gr2 Drill Hall Stakes
Trainer Stuart Ferrie with Gladatorian and his pilot Sean Veale together with co-owner Michel Nairac after the five-year-old gelding won the R750 000 Independent On Saturday Gr2 Drill Hall Stakes, held at the Hollywoodbets Greyville Racecourse. Image: Leon Lestrade / Independent Media The highly anticipated Champions Season kicked off to a flying start with Gladatorian emerging victorious in the R750 000 Independent On Saturday Gr2 Drill Hall Stakes, held at the Hollywoodbets Greyville Racecourse on Saturday. The annual race is the traditional curtain raiser to the Champions Season in KwaZulu-Natal. Last year, Gladatorian finished third, narrowly beaten by Royal Aussie and Cousin Casey. Consistent over the past year since the previous event, Gladatorian's regular jockey, Sean Veale, has always believed that the gelding has what it takes to win at the highest level. This year, the five-year-old son of Vercingetorix lined up against 11 quality rivals over 1 400m, including last year's winner Royal Aussie. Following the race, an ecstatic Veale could hardly contain his excitement as the pair made their way to the winners' circle for the awards ceremony. Commenting on Gladatorian's performance, Veale said: 'He can only do what we put in front of him. It was a good run from Mr Roberts's horse, and we will meet again in the mile. 'I still think I got there too early. He glided through them. I let him slide, and when I pressed him, he quickened. There is still meat on the bone as we couldn't really gallop him (with the rain).' Veale expressed gratitude for the victory, calling it a testament to the skills of trainer Stuart Ferrie. Ferrie said that he was bound to get lucky at some point. 'The luck was going to change, and thankfully, it was today. Very good ride from Sean as he got in a lovely position. Maybe the draw of being one off the fence helped. This horse was good enough for the win.' Co-owner Michel Nairac said this race was special for him because it ushered in the dawn of a new era with Hollywoodbets saving horseracing in KZN. 'To be able to open the season with a group 2 and have a share in the horse is absolutely wonderful. Stuart is a fantastic trainer, and Sean, what a ride. I'm blessed,' he said. Commenting on Gladatorian's performance, Nairac said the gelding's confidence started early in his training. He said a previous trainer pointed out that the horse had 'something special'. 'Well done to Stuart and Sean for bringing him through. I'm lost for words. Thank you to our sponsors today,' said Nairac. Fans can look forward to three months of action-packed feature racing. [email protected]
