4Racing launched its spring/summer season with the running of the 2026 Spring Spree Stakes (Listed), supported by The Lady’s Stakes (NBT), at Turffontein Racecourse last Saturday on August 29, 2026.
It was the first opportunity for Highveld horses to earn black type for the season, and jockey Gavin Lerena grabbed the opportunity with both hands.
Undeterred by the fact that Bjorn Ironside (Gimmethegreenlight – Dance At Dawn) had not seen the racecourse in 140 days, Lerena settled him towards the back of the field before setting him alight up the inside rail. Bjorn Ironside swept into the lead from Max The Magician and secured a one-length victory.
Winning owners the Wernars Family and trainer Johan Janse van Vuuren were delighted to get the feature season off to a winning start. Bred by Klawervlei Stud & the Late Mr David Abery, Bjorn Ironside was a R850,000 purchase from the 2023 Cape Premier Yearling Sale and left the course a four-time winner from 16 career starts.
Striking from off the pace served Lerena well on the day, helping him secure a hat-trick. His winning run began with Messrs Jamal Farah, J B Farah & A P Peter’s Winter In Auckland (What A Winter – New Zealand) for the Tony Peter yard in Race 5, followed by Messrs D D MaClean, L M Nestadt, Gary Player Stud Farm (Pty) Ltd & Reon Barnard’s Anchorage in Race 6, The Lady’s Stakes, before culminating with Bjorn Ironside in the afternoon’s feature.
Interestingly, the damsire of all three winners was Drakenstein Stud’s longtime resident Trippi (End Sweep – Jealous Appeal), who sadly passed away earlier this week at the age of 29.
