Isivunguvungu meaning ‘storm’ in isiXhosa is a What A Winter gelding out of the Tiger Ridge mare Miss Tweedy. Bred by Narrow Creek Stud, he was purchased privately by the Hollywood Syndicate ahead of the 2020 National Yearling Sale.
Name: ISIVUNGUVUNGU
Named By: Brand Ambassador Odwa Ndungane
Name Meaning: “Storm” in Xhosa
Sex: Bay Gelding
Foaled: 24/09/2018
Gelded: 3 Aug 2021
Sire: What A Winter
Mare: Miss Tweedy
Damsire: Tiger Ridge
Breeder: Narrow Creek Stud
Trainer: Graham Motion
Previous Trainer: Peter Muscutt
Previous Name: Some Light
Purchased: National Yearling Sale, July 2020
Pedigree: View here
Record: 16-7-6
A well conformed son of What A Winter, he is the type that should come to hand relatively quickly. The Dam, Miss Tweedy, picked up 4 wins, R287,800, at 3 to 4, 1400 – 1600m, placed 5 times.
UPDATES – Isivunguvungu
September 7th, 2024
INT – ISIVUNGUVUNGU wins the Da Hoss Stakes at Colonial Downs on Saturday 7th September 2024. He is trained by Graham Motion, ridden to victory by Manuel Franco, and is owned by the Hollywood Syndicate. He was shipped across to the USA from South Africa where he was bred by Narrow Creek Stud, and ran under trainer Peter Muscutt. This is his first run in the USA, and will now gear up towards the 2024 Breeders Cup Turf Sprint at Del Mar (California). Race Replay and Interview.
September 3rd, 2024
USA DEBUT – The much-anticipated debut run in the USA for ISIVUNGUVUNGU takes place this Saturday 7th September at Colonial Downs at 22:55 (South African time). He races on the turf over 5.5 furlongs (1100m) and will jump from gate 5. He will be ridden by Manuel Franco for his new trainer Graham Motion (also trainer of Beach Bomb). The whole of South Africa will be shouting him home, and we hope for a promising performance! Once we have confirmation where the race can be run, we will share details here on our Facebook page.
July 3rd, 2024
Some images of Isivunguvungu at track at his new home at Herringswell Stables in Maryland, USA.
July 2nd, 2024
Some images of Isivunguvungu at his new home at Herringswell Stables in Maryland, USA.
January 6th, 2024
Raced over 1000m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth in the Winchester Sprint Cup. Finished 2nd out of 9 runners.
Anthony Delpech post-race comment: Good first up run after a long break.
July 30th, 2023
448 – GRADE 1 MERCURY SPRINT – ISIVUNGUVUNGU wins the Grade 1 Mercury Sprint at Hollywoodbets Greyville this afternoon. He used his natural gate speed to overcome his awkward draw, Winning Form-sponsored jockey Richard Fourie dictated his own terms in front and he showed good guts to hold all challengers at bay. Well done to Hollywoodbets-sponsored trainer Peter Muscutt who turned him out in perfect condition and to the breeders Narrow Creek Stud. Well done to Brand Ambassador Odwa Ndungane who named the son of What A Winter. Well Done Team!
Race Replay / Race Interview
Candiese Lenferna Photography
Chase Liebenberg Photography
June 17th, 2023
437 – ISIVUNGUVUNGU was an easy winner in Race 8 at Hollywoodbets Scottsville over 1000m this afternoon. The son of What A Winter was ridden to victory by Winning Form-sponsored jockey Richard Fourie and is now a five-time winner. He is trained by Hollywoodbets-sponsored Peter Muscutt and is bred by Narrow Creek Stud.
April 29th, 2023
420 – ISIVUNGUVUNGU wins the Grade 1 Jonsson Workwear Computaform Sprint in fantastic style at Turffontein Racecourse this afternoon. He was given a confident ride by Winning Form-sponsored jockey Richard Fourie who has now won three Graded races today. Well done to Hollywoodbets-sponsored trainer Peter Muscutt on an amazing training feat and to the breeders Narrow Creek Stud who bred the beautiful son of What A Winter. A big well done to Brand Ambassador Odwa Ndungane who named Isivunguvungu. Well Done Team!
April 9th, 2023
Isivunguvungu finished 2nd by a short head in a Pinnacle Plate over 1000m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville, despite stumbling at the start. This will now set him up for the Computaform Sprint at the end of the month.
January 7th, 2023
Raced over 1000m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth in The Franschhoek Motor Museum Winchester Sprint Cup. Finished 2nd out of 15 runners.
Anthony Delpech post-race comment: Great run after a long break, he was unlucky as he had to switch out for a run.
20230107 Hollywoodbets Kenilworth Express Clip Race 4 won by MR COBBS – YouTube
August 26th, 2022
He’s had a short 3 week spell after his last start win. He will now prepare for the Cape Summer Season where his mission will be the Cape Flying Championship.
July 30th, 2022
323 – ISIVUNGUVUNGU brings up the 100th winner of the 2021/2022 season in fine style. He tracked the leaders turning for home, quickened up extremely well and drew clear of the opposition. The son of What A Winter was given a confident ride by Winning Form-sponsored Richard Fourie and is trained by Hollywoodbets-sponsored Peter Muscutt. A massive congratulations to nominee Anthony Delpech and the whole Team.
Anthony Delpech post-race comment: Very impressive win, the 1000m is definitely his best trip.
July 20nd, 2022
He is doing well and will gallop tomorrow ahead of his run in the Umgeni Handicap over 1000m on 30/7/22. Richard Fourie booked to ride. As much as we’ve tried to get him to relax over 1200m he still wants to go hard so essentially he is a five furlong horse.
July 2nd, 2022
Raced over 1200m in the Grade 2 Post Merchants at Hollywoodbets Greyville on the turf. Finished 7th out of 14 runners.
Anthony Delpech post-race comment: He pulled hard in the early stages of the race. He may well be better over shorter. He was only 2.45 lengths behind the winner.
June 11th, 2022
Raced over 1100m at Hollywoodbets Greyville in the Non-Black Type Rising Sun Durban Dash. Anthony Delpech post-race comment: He raced from just off the pace and stayed on to finish third. Fair run.
May 2nd, 2022
Sporting Post article on ISIVUNGUVUNGU’s win in the In Full Flight Handicap:
Peter Muscutt’s promising 3yo Isivunguvungu suggested he could be one for the notebook with an eyecatching victory in the R150 000 Listed In Full Flight Handicap at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday. Read more here.
May 1st, 2022
299 – ISIVUNGUVUNGU wins the Listed In Full Flight Handicap over 1100m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville today. He raced from just off the pace, showed a good turn of foot and won with ease. The son of What A Winter is a two-time winner and looks to have class. He was ridden to victory by Keagan de Melo and is trained by Hollywoodbets-sponsored Peter Muscutt.
April 14th, 2022
Raced over 1000m at Hollywoodbets Greyville on the polytrack. Anthony Delpech post-race comment: Good first run after a long layoff and in the company. He looks above average.
January 11th, 2021
Peter Muscutt update: Isivunguvungu’s three months paddock rest is over on Monday 17/1/22. This was due to intermittent hind limb lameness caused by sub-chondral bone pain. He is moving well again and will return to the yard next week. He is very talented and is sure to repay your patience in the Durban Season.
August 3rd, 2021
ISIVUNGUVUNGU was gelded today.
July 31st, 2021
He took his place in the Grade 2 Epol Umkhomazi Stakes. He overraced around the turn and understandably lacked a finish in the straight. He is much better than the run suggests and there should be a lot more to come from the son of What A Winter.
July 27th, 2021
Isivunguvungu, far side, going through his gears this morning ahead of his run on Saturday in the Umkhomazi Stakes over 1200m at Greyville. The awkward draw doesn’t make his task easy either but with the scratching he now comes into draw 7. He still doesn’t want to settle properly early so I am considering fitting a set of earmuffs to him to try and get him to switch off early. See footage here.
June 6th, 2021
He was far from disgraced when finishing fifth in the Grade 1 Gold Medallion. He showed good early pace and stayed on nicely at the finish. He was still very green in running and there is plenty more to come from him. The son of What A Winter has an exciting future ahead of him.
23 May 2021
Isivunguvungu having a gallop at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on 23rd May 2021. He is the horse on the nearside finishing ahead of his galloping partner.
21 May 2021
Isivunguvungu doing well after his impressive victory on the 2nd of May. Pictured here with Hollywoodbets sponsored trainer Peter Muscutt.
May 2nd, 2021
He was ultra-impressive when winning on debut over 1000m at Hollywoodbets Greyville. He was very green in running, but won with authority. He was given a peach of a ride by Richard Fourie and well done to trainer Peter Muscutt. A big well done to Anthony Delpech and Sally Bruss who chose this smashing son of What A Winter. Well done to the breeders Narrow Creek Stud.
March 18th, 2021
Isivunguvungu, centre, going through the stalls this morning. He was perfect at the barriers, loading on his own and standing quietly. Despite being slow out, his competitive spirit kicked in and he charged at his companions when the gap opened. He will jump out again in 10 days time and have a solid gallop at which stage the stable will asses whether he is ready to go to the races.
February 2nd, 2021
Isivunguvungu, near side, finishing off his work strongly this morning but just trying to do too much. He has done everything asked of him this prep and clearly has ability. He has started feeling his shins and that is the reason he is trying to overdo things. I will send him out on Friday for a short spell which will give his shins time to settle and let him relax physically and mentally as he continues to grow, mature and furnish.
January 21st, 2021
Isivunguvungu has clearly started to shed some of his condition and appears to be shaping into an athletic, angular colt. Seen this morning at stables.
January 12th, 2021
Isivunguvungu quickening up the last furlong after an 800m workout this morning. He continues to progress well and is growing and maturing nicely now. He has perfect manners, does everything right and looks to be fairly precocious at this stage.
December 16th, 2020
Isivunguvungu, far side, cantering this morning. All is going well with him. He hasn’t put a foot wrong since his arrival at Summerveld. Although a bit light initially he is furnishing nicely. He has a good forward going attitude, moves well and is very eager to please. He has worked on all the tracks at Summerveld and will start doing some quicker work from next week.
November 26th, 2020
After a stint with Sally Bruss, we have moved him up to KZN where he is currently boarding with Robbie Dawson before he moves to Peter Muscutt to begin full training. Seen earlier this week, enjoying a spot of sun.
October 14th, 2020
He is currently being spelled by Sally Bruss in the Western Cape and is getting ready to come into full training in the next few weeks.