Cape Racing’s bespoke horse syndication initiatives have had the desired effect, confirming the good early growth anticipated. More of the region’s trainers have come on board with customised offers on newly purchased horses designed to attract individuals from all walks of life.
A number of trainers attended the Ready To Run and Unbroken Two-Year-Old Sale at Hollywoodbets Durbanville last Sunday, with syndication as their prerogative, and bought accordingly.
Newest to the fray is Michelle Rix and Ashwin Reynolds’s ‘Kommet’ Syndicate, named in honour of the Rix/Crawford stable’s Kommetdieding, the 2021 Durban July winner and all-round, popular track star who has retired to stud. They’ve launched a professionally designed client brochure and a website to keep shareholders up to speed.
Rix bought Lot 70 (Canford Cliffs filly – R375,000), Lot 94 (Gimmethegreenlight filly, R500,000) and Lot 97 (One World filly, R160,000) for syndication and said: “Ashwin’s always wanted to honour the legacy of Kommetdieding and this was a good opportunity. He was a true people’s horse, and this syndicate is for the people. When Kommetdieding was still in training, his exploits drew much attention from fans, and many of them spoke to Ashwin about getting involved in racing. We’re giving them a chance now; we’ll start marketing shortly and hope to get the offer out there to all his fans so they can join us.”
Due to Rix’s other good results over the last few years and Reynold’s efforts in maintaining the momentum created by Kommetdieding, the stable has already grown to 40 horses. They have moved to new stables at Milnerton, and Rix said: “We’re aiming at offering a mix of colts and fillies for our syndicate to suit all pockets.”
Ricky Maingard, who is doing well with his re-established Cape string, has formed the Wolf Power Syndicate, named after his legendary 1980s superstar, still in the hearts and minds of racing enthusiasts almost 40 years later.
Maingard, with growing momentum, has shaped a unique six-horse package for the Wolf Power Syndicate, and he explained: “Our aim is to be a boutique-style stable, training quality rather than quantity. The syndicate will be developed along those lines. We will have a maximum of 25 owners (or 25 x 4% shares), where each share includes an equal part in all six horses.
“Having six horses as a new owner is not attainable to most, but as our syndicate motto says, ‘When people come together, they can often achieve more than they could individually’. For an initial one-off fee, payable when subscribing, this represents an ideal opportunity to enjoy six horses perform on the track. The fee will include stabling and training fees until the six horses turn four years of age, at which time the syndicate members will decide which ones to keep in training as four-year-olds.”
Maingard’s 2023 Ready To Run buys, Klein Karoo (Lot 32, Canford Cliffs R275,000) and American Ultra (Lot 61, The United Stakes, R300,000) will be included in the Wolf Power ‘six pack’ along with a Cape Premier Sale purchase, also three from the National Sale and other Cape auctions. As physically attractive specimens who put up smart gallops, the R2R prospects enjoyed a good share of the bidder’s attention on Sunday.
Piet and Nicole Botha launched their Dare 2 Dream syndicate with a winner in Tyrion Lannister at Hollywoodbets Durbanville last week. They came close to following up on Tuesday with Sansa Stark. This is another up-and-coming stable that has made life more competitive for the log-leading trainers the last few seasons, and Piet Botha said: “Our early success with the Dare 2 Dream Syndicate came at just the right time. We are now syndicating our Ready To Run buy, Girl About Town (Lot 47), a beautifully balanced daughter of Talk Of The Town who put up an eye-catching gallop on Sunday morning.
“I fell in love with this filly when I saw her on viewing day last Friday, so I almost wished her gallop wasn’t as good so buyers could look elsewhere. I was hoping to get her for around R150,000, but she was outstanding, and my budget was R200,000. My patron, André Louw, secured her for that amount, and we are very chuffed.
“André will possibly be retaining a share of Girl About Town. We’ll syndicate at least 60% of her, perhaps more. We’ll discuss it and announce our offer on social media. This is an exciting opportunity with a potentially smart filly. She’s by a new stallion, but the progeny I’ve seen so far are impressive. They look the part!”
The Gulf Racing Syndicate, active in South Africa, Dubai, and Australia, acquired Lot 76, Cumbre Vieja, a scopey colt by Erupt, out of a mare by Gimmethegreenlight. Named after a volcano in La Palma, Spain, he is a half-brother to up-and-coming Ampersand, with depth in his pedigree.
Syndicator Kurt Felix commented: “We’ve already had some interest, and the shares will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis. We are preparing an all-inclusive syndication offer. Cumbre Vieja is a typical Erupt offspring. He will grow and fill out over the next few months; he is going to be an exciting prospect. Adam Azzie will train him.”
With both his kids closely involved, Woodhill Racing’s Glen Kotzen counts himself fortunate to have access to their friends and other youthful individuals interested in thoroughbred racing. Kotzen bought Lot 55, Sesame, a filly by the high-strike stallion Legislate, out of Silvano’s G1-placed daughter, Tahini, for R170,000. He plans to syndicate Sesame to 50 shareholders and will be drawing on his young contacts.
Kotzen said: “Our galloper Han Solo, who won an exciting race on King’s Plate Day and again on Met Day, is trained for a group of family and friends. Some of the youngsters who came to see him win were university students who now have qualified degrees and are starting their careers. It is great.
Some who came to love and enjoy racing through Han Solo now ask for more involvement. Sesame is a lovely filly from the Tatler family and an ideal runner to start this venture. Becoming a part of the Woodhill Syndicate will be like joining our family.”
Visit us at www.caperacing.co.za; for racing queries and sales queries, contact Justin Vermaak at justin@caperacing.co.za or Robyn Collyer at robyn@caperacing.co.za
