Highlights Reel From The Past Weekend’S Racing.
Tuesday 15 September, 2026Gimme A Nother scored a fabulous victory under jockey Johny Velasquez in the Grade 1 EP Taylor at Woodbine on Saturday night to book a berth for herself in the Breeders Cup.
She ran excellent speed scores in the range between 110 and 112 in South Africa, which seemed good enough to mix it with the best American turf horses, but it doesn’t always turn out as hoped for.
So, it is most gratifying that she has gone on to do great in the USA, as it is a real mission exporting horses long haul from the edge of Africa and getting them to settle into a new environment.
As reported in drf.com, trainer Graham Motion said everything worked out perfectly for Gimme a Nother, who won her three previous starts in graded stakes after a leading second in the Grade 2 Canadian here last summer.
“I loved being in the 1-post,” Motion said. “Johnny just had a beautiful trip. You have so much confidence when Johnny’s riding. He said even today, she’s a better horse than she was last time. She took him there. It was very impressive.”
Motion took over Gimme a Nother in 2024 after she had won all seven of her starts in South Africa with Mike de Kock
“She came to me undefeated,” Motion recalled. “That was a lot of pressure, but she’s been remarkable. We hoped to get her to the Breeders’ Cup last year and it didn’t quite work out. Ever since we gave her a little break over the winter, she’s been unbeatable. She’s very special.”
The 6-year-old daughter of Gimmethegreenlight is slated to make her next start in the BC Filly and Mare Turf at Keeneland at the end of October.
Saffie Osborne made history when becoming the first female jockey to win a Classic in Britain. She achieved the feat in the 250th renewal of the St Leger at Doncaster on Highwayman for Joseph o’ Brien.
The Sporting Life reported, “Osborne becomes the first woman to win a British Classic amongst a golden era for female jockeys, with Rachael Blackmore becoming the first lady rider to win a Grand National aboard Minella Times in 2021 while Hollie Doyle won a French Classic aboard Nashwa in the 2022 French Oaks.”
Remarkably, Highwayman was trounced by a grand total of 39 horses at his first four racetrack outings and only showed signs of life after being put over longer routes. He has handled each successive step up in class and trip with aplomb – running out a convincing winner of this historic test of stamina on the Flat.
In local news, the imported Calla Lagoon s/s 98 romped in a 1450m at Turffontein’s inner track under a light weight. It was an assertive victory with Captain West left trailing in his slipstream.
Gimme a Fireball is making rapid progress. After winning a Scottsville Maiden with a speed score of 80 ++ at the end of July, Mike and Mathew de Kock’s emergent talent ran a speed figure of 95 to defeat Whatsdamatterwithu s/s 94 and Blue Bisou s/s 94.
Precocious s/s 95 continues to thrive up on the Highveld. The grey filly won her fifth race from eight starts in Jozi when giving weight and a beating to Trombolines s/s 94 in a six-panel sprint.
Hierarchy s/s 99 + was an authoritative winner down the Scottsville sprint course on Sunday. She drew off down the centre of the track in a smooth performance, close to her personal best of 102.
Erik Dubois could not go with her at virtually level weights over a sprint and was 1.7 lengths back at the finish. He remains an exciting 3YO prospect when going back to a mile.
Recent tote payouts:
