Spies Racing

With Spies Racing now registered as a training partnership with both Xander and Corne, we dedicate this write-up to a racehorse that we know they both cherish: William Robertson.

This is not an announcement, or a general bio on a great racehorse – it's just Glistian acknowledging a great achievement by a wonderful racehorse.

What is that achievement? There are many, as we know. The versatility is a highlight. To be able to compete at a high level in sprint and stamina races is not a usual sight – or even attempt. But still, we haven't mentioned what the achievement we're referring to is.

17 career victories. To not only compete, but to win 17 races at a high level deserves massive respect. There's no horse in South Africa with more victories to their name. Cruise Control sits second with 15 wins. The latter may surpass that rally if he continues to race this season – but I doubt that William Robertson is done for either!

He's just turned 8, and still holds a high rating of 124.
.. We'll just have to wait and see!

Me: "I have got a lot to do. Nothing can distract me."

Bloodstock South Africa: "Hold My Beer!"
.. Check out the catalogue for the August Online Auction below via the following link:

https://www.equineonlinesales.co.za/

A FIRST WIN FOR THE PARTNERSHIP! 🏆

The first race meeting of the new Corné and Xander Spies training partnership could hardly have been more memorable.

After two third-place finishes and a second earlier in the meeting, SPIRIT OF GABZ delivered the perfect ending by becoming the partnership’s very first winner.

There are victories that mean more than the result alone, and this will always be one of them. It represents the beginning of a new chapter for Spies Racing, the continuation of a proud family legacy, and the reward for the countless hours of work that take place behind the scenes.

A heartfelt congratulations and thank you to the owners:

Mr D & Mrs S Sibanda, Messrs C D Brown, R P Macnab, X Spies, V Mahabeer, A R Asaram, M Pillay, J Soobiah & P W Viljoen.

Thank you for your support, your trust and for sharing this special milestone with the team.

Congratulations also to Trent Mayhew, who produced a fantastic ride and will forever hold the distinction of riding the first winner for the new partnership.

A special word of thanks must also go to every member of the Spies Racing team. Every early morning, every careful preparation and every quiet act of dedication contributed to this moment.

The first meeting.
The first winner.
A memory that will remain part of the stable’s history forever.

SPIRIT OF GABZ has opened the account, and the next chapter of Spies Racing is officially under way.

The legacy continues. ❤️🏇

As one chapter closes and another begins, it is fitting to reflect on the remarkable career Corné Spies has built as a trainer in his own right.

His official career statistics stand at:

11,272 runners
965 winners
2,822 places
More than R74.4 million in stakes earned

Those figures tell only part of the story. Behind them lie decades of early mornings, long journeys, difficult decisions, memorable victories and unwavering dedication to the horses entrusted to his care.

The season just completed added another exceptional chapter to that record.

From 257 runners, the stable produced 25 winners, 70 places and more than R4.37 million in stakes. It was also a season marked by success at the highest level.

Hazy delivered a magnificent Grade 1, Grade 2 and Grade 3 treble. Elegantrix added a Listed victory, while William Robertson secured another Grade 3 success.

To train nearly 1,000 winners is a rare achievement. To do so while producing multiple Grade 1 horses, competing successfully across several decades and continuing the legacy established by Toby Spies makes the accomplishment even more significant.

From 1 August, Corné Spies will no longer appear as a sole trainer, as he officially enters into a training partnership with his son, Xander Spies.

The partnership marks the beginning of a new era for Spies Racing, built on the same values of hard work, horsemanship, loyalty and ambition that have defined the stable for generations.

Corné Spies’ chapter as an individual trainer may have concluded, but his contribution to South African racing continues. His record speaks for itself, his influence is firmly established, and the next chapter of the Spies Racing story now begins.

Congratulations to Corné Spies on an extraordinary career as a sole trainer.

The legacy continues.

🥳🥳🥳

SA’s Newest Training Partnership South Africa’s brand new father-and-son training partnership of Corne and Xander Spies is set to send out their first runners at Turffontein on Saturday as a new chapter begins

THE BIG HORSE. THE BIG STAGE. THE CLOSING ACT. 🔥

Gold Cup Day concludes with one of the most imposing sprinters in the Spies Racing yard.

African Pride contests Race 10, the Listed HKIR in December Umngeni Handicap over 1000m, with international star Lyle Hewitson in the saddle.

Weighing in excess of 600 kilograms, African Pride combines immense physical presence with genuine natural speed. His recent form reflects a horse operating near the peak of his powers. He won decisively over 1000m at Turffontein, followed that with a courageous course-and-distance victory at Greyville, and then finished only one length behind Grade 1 sprinter Taxi To The Moon over 1160m.

He returns to his optimum distance from draw one, carrying 59.5kg. He is unbeaten at Greyville and heads the Computaform ratings for the race.

Chapbook arrives after a cracking performance and has previously finished ahead of him. Circumbendibus pushed African Pride to the limit at their last Greyville meeting, while Anuschka’s World, Fortress Of Fire and King Of The Gauls bring serious sprinting credentials.

From the inside gate, African Pride has the speed to secure his position and make every rival come and fetch him.

Our headline runner. Our strongest chance. One final opportunity to finish Gold Cup Day in unforgettable fashion.

🏇 Race 10
⏰ 18:35
📍 Hollywoodbets Greyville
🏆 Umngeni Handicap, Listed
📏 1000m
🧢 Lyle Hewitson