Johannesburg, South Africa – Thirty-eight runners remain in contention for the 2026 Betway Summer Cup following the close of second entries at 11am on Tuesday, 3 November 2026. Heading the list is last year’s winner, Mauritzfontein (Pty) Ltd (Nom: Mrs J B Jell)’s Mocha Blend, from the Frank Robinson stable, who will be looking to defend her title.
De Kock Racing, which currently boasts nine Summer Cup trophies on its CV, has added Splittheeights, strengthening its hand to eight runners.
Five-time winning trainer Sean Tarry still holds a four-strong entry, including Grand Empire (Gr1 HKJC World Pool SA Classic) and Legend Of Arthur (Gr1 TAB SA Derby).
Dual winner Alec Laird has scratched Gr1 HKJC World Pool Premier’s Champions Challenge hero Fire Attack and now pins his hopes on Gr2 TAB Gauteng Guineas winner Parisian Walkway.
Directors: Charles Savage, Emma Callister, Potlako Mophiring, Bradley Ralph
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Joe Soma, who won the race with Wagner in 2012, has scratched Errol Flynn, leaving him with Jimmy Don and Rule By Force.
St John Gray, breeder, owner and trainer of 2011 winner Dancewiththedevil, fields another homebred hopeful in Palace Prince.
There is a strong contingent of KZN raiders, including 2025 winner Mocha Blend; two entries from 2023 Betway Summer Cup-winning trainer Nathan Kotzen in Field Marshal and Madison Valley; and recent Betway Joburg Spring Challenge winner Gladatorian, from the Stuart Ferrie stable. Frikkie Greyling, Peter Muscutt, Robbie Hill and Gareth van Zyl have also entered runners.
The Cape challenge is headed by Justin Snaith, Glen Kotzen and James Crawford, who have entered Magic Verse and Native Ruler; Holding Thumbs; and Otto Luyken, respectively.
Full list of entries below:-
2000m BETWAY SUMMER CUP (Grade 1)
Stakes Breakdown
Total Stakes: R6,000,000.00
1st R3,450,000, 2nd R1,200,000, 3rd R600,000, 4th R300,000, 5th R150,000, 6th R60,000, 7th R60,000, 8th R60,000, 9th R60,000, 10th R60,000
Full List of Entries
- 0 GLADATORIAN (7G) 0.0 127 AT Stuart Ferrie
- 0 FIRE ATTACK (5G) 0.0 124 A Alec Laird (Scratched)
- 0 KING PELLES (6G) 0.0 122 BA Gareth van Zyl
- 0 NATIVE RULER (5G) 0.0 121 A Justin Snaith
- 0 MOCHA BLEND (5M) 0.0 120 A Frank Robinson
- 0 HOLDING THUMBS (6G) 0.0 119 BA Glen Kotzen
- 0 CHOISAANADA (5G) 0.0 118 A Erico Verdonese
- 0 JAN VAN GOYEN (4G) 0.0 118 A Mike / Mathew de Kock
- 0 HAZY DAZY (4F) 0.0 117 HA Xander / Corne Spi (Scratched)
- 0 RULE BY FORCE (7G) 0.0 117 BAT Joe Soma
- 0 THE ULTIMATE KING (5G) 0.0 117 BA Tony Peter
- 0 CHRONICLE KING (4C) 0.0 115 A Candice / Tammy Dawson
- 0 MAGIC VERSE (6G) 0.0 115 A Justin Snaith
- 0 ERROL FLYNN (4G) 0.0 114 BAT Joe Soma (Scratched)
- 0 LITTLEMISSMILLION (4F) 0.0 114 A Tyrone Zackey
- 0 OLIVIA’S WAY (5M) 0.0 114 CA Roy Magner
- 0 REET PETITE (4F) 0.0 114 A Mike / Mathew de Kock
- 0 OTTO LUYKEN (7G) 0.0 113 BAT James Crawford
- 0 ALADDIN’S LAMP (6G) 0.0 112 BA Mike / Mathew de Kock
- 0 I SALUTE YOU (5G) 0.0 112 BA Peter Muscutt
- 0 JIMMY DON (7G) 0.0 112 A Joe Soma
- 0 CALLA LAGOON (GB) (5H) 0.0 111 A Stuart Pettigrew (Scratched)
- 0 DRUMNADROCHIT (4F) 0.0 111 A Mike / Mathew de Kock
- 0 GRAND EMPIRE (4G) 0.0 111 AT Sean Tarry
- 0 MADISON VALLEY (6G) 0.0 111 A Nathan Kotzen
- 0 FIELD MARSHAL (5G) 0.0 110 A Nathan Kotzen
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- 0 SOLAR SAIL (5G) 0.0 109 A Paul Matchett
- 0 $ SPLITTHEEIGHTS (4C) 0.0 109 A Mike / Mathew de Kock
- 0 BUSSTOPINHOUNSLOW (5G) 0.0 108 AT Grant Maroun
- 0 IMMEDIATE EDGE (5G) 0.0 108 BA Mike / Mathew de Kock
- 0 LEGEND OF ARTHUR (5G) 0.0 108 HAT Sean Tarry
- 0 PALACE PRINCE (4C) 0.0 108 AT St John Gray
- 0 ISIVIVANE (5G) 0.0 107 A Peter Muscutt
- 0 PARISIAN WALKWAY (5G) 0.0 107 A Alec Laird
- 0 WILD INTENT (5G) 0.0 107 A Mike / Mathew de Kock
- 0 INDIAN OCEAN (7M) 0.0 105 BA Mano Pandaram
- 0 TOMYRIS (6M) 0.0 103 A Tony Peter
- 0 JAZZ CAFE (6M) 0.0 101 BA Robbie Hill (Scratched)
- 0 CURIOUS GIRL (4F) 0.0 100 A Mike / Mathew de Kock
- 0 GO GRAYSON GO (5H) 0.0 98 AT Frikkie Greyling
- 0 MASTER SPY (4G) 0.0 97 AT Sean Tarry
- 0 MISSION TO MARS (I (6G) 0.0 94 A Stuart Pettigrew (Scratched)
- 0 FIRST WISH (5M) 0.0 93 A Candice / Tammy Dawson
- 0 TINTIN (5G) 0.0 93 A Sean Tarry
Dates to diarise:
Final Entries Close: 09:00 Monday 16 November 2026
Weights: Monday 16 November 2026
Declarations: 11:00 Tuesday 17 November 2026
Final Field: Embargoed & announced on Tuesday 17 November at an event TBA
Barrier Draw: Tuesday 17 November at an event TBA
Please note: the determination of the final field is at the discretion of the NHA in consultation with 4Racing.
The second Betway Summer Cup log will be published on 5 November 2026.
This year’s Betway Summer Cup takes place at TAB Turffontein Racecourse on Saturday, 28 November 2026 and invites racegoers to “Celebrate Summer” with a day of top-class racing, entertainment and hospitality.
