The 2009/2010 racing season has not been a great one for us. Following on our most successful season yet, I suppose a backward step was almost inevitable. There were highlights: Kapil's fluent win in the Merchants, his terrific 2nd in the Queen's Plate, and then our treble a month or so ago spring to mind. But overall, the stats speak for themselves. The biggest concern is that too many of the younger horses did not come up to scratch. This has led to a drastic reduction in stable numbers, as our policy has always been that horses must be earning, or have the potential to earn, otherwise they must go. We will stick to this policy, no matter how small our string ends up. Keeping racehorses has become too costly to do otherwise. Current stable strength is 28, with at least 10 of these likely to have left by the end of the year. On the plus side, we have 9 yearlings (2 y.o.'s on the 1st August) on the farms, and they are generally a better bred and scopier group than last years. Hopefully we can pick up another 6 or 7 at the remaining sales etc.

More generally, racing in the Western Cape is at the crossroads. To say there is a crisis down here would not be far from the truth. The recession has not helped, but the problems are more deep seated that that. My feeling is that the situation is fast coming to the boil, as Cape Racing cannot continue as is. When I write this end-of-season report in a year's time, I hope and expect drastically different structures to be in place. We live in interesting times!

Stan + Boffin

Kapil has retired. He left Clairwood about a week ago and arrived back at his place of birth, Arc-en-Ciel Stud, the next day. All things being equal, he will spend the rest of his days in retirement out there. He leaves racing with a record of 7 wins and 10 other cheques from 21 starts in this country. He also raced a few times in Dubai, U.K. and Hong Kong for 1 other win. A racehorse of the highest calibre, I will remember him for an abundance of reasons, but his triumph in the KZN Guineas of his year must surely rank as his finest moment. With everything against him that day, he produced a truly devastating finish from last to win going away from a future July winner, a Derby winner and a Cape Guineas winner. He has left wonderful memories for all associated with him. We wish him a happy retirement! He surely deserves it!

Stan

The beautiful birds at Clairwood!

TODAY'S MEETING SCHEDULED FOR KENILWORTH HAS BEEN POSTPONED TO SUNDAY 18TH JULY, AS CARDED.

Saturday 12th June was a bitter sweet day for the yard. Kenilworth provided the sweet side with 3 winners from the 9 races carded, the first 3 timer for many a year! ( See our Stats & Videos section ) An exceptional achievement for a yard our size. The first winner was Johnnie B, a Lake Coniston 2 y.o. for popular Cape owners, Midge Cunnington and Smitty. They always choose their own yearlings, and this was a very cheap one. Good luck to them!

Pics courtesy of Equine Edge

The Badger's Drift gelding, Badger Lake, was recording his 2nd win for the Steele brothers. An out and out stayer who has taken time to come to hand, he won particularly well and should pay to follow.

American Fantasy was the 3rd winner, and she was recording her 2nd win from her last 3 outings, for owner James Buckley. Not the soundest, she could score again before the end of winter.

Interesting enough, these 3 winners cost a total of just on R100,000, which just goes to show there is still something in racing for the small player who does his homework!

On the bitter side, Kapil ran unplaced in the Gold Challenge at Clairwood. He is rising 8 now and his future is being discussed. More about him later!