SPANISH FORT was purchased by the Hollywood Syndicate at the annual CTS Ready to Run Sale, on the 23rd November 2018. He is a colt by Elusive Fort, out of the Jallad mare Spanish Rhapsody.
Name: SPANISH FORT
Sex: Bay Colt
Foaled: 14/09/2016
Sire: Elusive Fort
Mare: Spanish Rhapsody (Jallad)
Breeder: Digteby Stud
Sales Prep: Far End Farms
Trainer: Cliffie Miller
Purchased: CTS Ready to Run Sale, November 2018
Pedigree: View Here
Record: 43-2-14
Another exciting colt to add to our stable, he has a strong pedigree pattern if one looks through the generations of his family. The Fort Wood x Jallad cross is particularly strong, producing the likes of Eyes Wide Open, Liege, It’s My Turn and Solid Speed to name a few of the Group 1 winners from his family.
Not only does he has a strong “page”, but he is a really well balanced horse with a big over step. His gallop was also rather impressive.
He was purchased with the annual Ready to Run race in Cape Town in mind and after showing a clear preference for the sand, we decided to send him to Kimberley where he will join up with Cliffie Miller.
Updates – Spanish Fort
January 15th, 2023
He has been retired and has arrived at Hollywoodbets Life After Racing.
December 29th, 2023
Raced over 1200m at Fairview on the polytrack. Finished 8th out of 8 runners.
Anthony Delpech post-race comment: I feel he must retire. I will arrange transport this week for him to come to Life After Racing.
December 8th, 2023
Raced over 1000m at Fairview on the polytrack. Finished 9th out of 12 runners.
Anthony Delpech post-race comment: I feel he needs to retire.
October 27th, 2023
Raced over 1000m at Fairview on the polytrack. Finished 5th out of 11 runners.
Anthony Delpech post-race comment: Not a bad run, finishing 4.50 lengths behind the winner. Not sure if he is going to improve, I feel he has had enough.
September 29th, 2023
Raced over 1200m at Fairview on the polytrack. Finished 8th out of 13 runners.
Anthony Delpech post-race comment: The draw was against him, but he did not run a disappointing race. He will be competitive from a better draw next time.
August 11th, 2023
Raced over 1300m at Fairview on the polytrack. Finished 10th out of 9 runners.
Anthony Delpech post-race comment: Poor run, he is on the short list for retiring.
July 7th, 2023
Raced over 1000m at Fairview on the polytrack. Finished 3rd out of 9 runners.
Anthony Delpech post-race comment: Good 3rd, just needed the run.
April 28th, 2023
Raced over 1200m at Fairview on the polytrack. Finished 7th out of 15 runners.
Anthony Delpech post-race comment: He is better over 1000m, the 1200m was too far.
February 10th, 2023
Raced over 1000m at Fairview on the turf track. Finished 14th out of 15 runners.
Anthony Delpech post-race comment: His form is very poor on the turf, so I will forgive him for that poor performance.
December 23rd, 2022
Raced over 1000m at Fairview on the polytrack. Finished 3rd out of 11 runners.
Anthony Delpech post-race comment: He is consistent, good run.
November 4th, 2022
361 – SPANISH FORT closes off the meeting at Fairview on the polytrack over 1000m under a perfect ride by Muzi Yeni. The son of Elusive Fort is now a two-time winner and is trained by Hollywoodbets-sponsored Cliffie Miller. He is bred by Connemara Stud.
October 21st, 2022
Raced over 1200m at Hollywoodbets Greyville on the polytrack. Finished 8th out of 14 runners.
Anthony Delpech post-race comment: He was caught wide throughout the race. He will have one more run from a good draw to give him a chance. If he doesn’t improve, we will have to retire him.
August 25th, 2022
He is in good health and racing on the 26th. Out in the weights but has to run and should run a good race. Just waiting for his right division and should then will be spot on.
August 5th, 2022
Raced over 1000m at Fairview on the turf track. Finished 9th out of 16 runners.
Anthony Delpech post-race comment: Not a bad run, is definitely a better horse on the poly. We will give him a couple of runs on the poly, if he does not earn, then we will retire him.
July 22nd, 2022
Raced over 1000m Fairview on the polytrack. Finished 5th out of 12 runners.
Anthony Delpech post-race comment: Stayed on well to only get beaten 2.35 lengths.
July 1st, 2022
Raced over 1000m at Fairview on the turf. Finished 11th out of 15 runners.
Anthony Delpech post-race comment: It was his first run after a long layoff. He showed lots of speed and stopped in the last 200m. He will improve from the run.
April 8th, 2022
Raced over 1000m at Fairview on the polytrack. Anthony Delpech post-race comment: First run after long layoff. We will give him a chance and decide after his next run on his future.
October 11th, 2021
He took his place in a 1000m contest on the polytrack at Fairview Racecourse this afternoon. He had to overcome a wide draw of thirteen and stayed on to finish four lengths off the winner.
August 17th, 2021
He showed good signs of returning to best form at Fairview Racecourse on the polytrack this afternoon. He is in a good space and may be able to notch up that elusive second victory in the near future.
June 11th, 2021
He was not disgraced finishing fifth over 1000m on the polytrack. He had to overcome the widest draw and finished his race off well. Hopefully he cracks a good draw next time and he should be competitive.
May 11th, 2021
He ran another good race when finishing third once again. He showed good pace and stayed on nicely at the finish. He will be having his peak run next time and will be worth following.
April 23rd, 2021
He ran a good race when finishing third in his first start in the Eastern Cape. He raced up with the pace and stayed on nicely. He should come on from the run and will be worth following next time.
November 11th, 2019
After a solid effort last time out, he is back over the same course and distance today and the blinkers stay on. He is expected to give another very good account of himself and on the back of some very good work at home, the stable feel he has a strong each-way chance. Final field below:
1000m – 14:05
BETTING WORLD – 087 741 2777 MR 74 HANDICAP
Open
WFA: 3yrs-5kgs 4yrs-0kgs
| 1 | 3 | Tokolosh | 60.5 | 85 | BA | J Greyling | Paul Matchett | |
| 2 | 9 | Elegant General | 59.5 | 73 | TBA | M V’Rensburg | Cliffie Miller | |
| 3 | 2 | Concealed Secret | 57 | 68 | TBA | *J R Syster -4.0 | S von Willingh Smit | |
| 4 | 11 | Queen Rachel | 56.5 | 67 | TBa | *N Klink | Bill Human | |
| 5 | 5 | Dolphin | 54.5 | 63 | BA | M Thackeray | Stephanie Miller | |
| 6 | 4 | Zip Line | 54.5 | 63 | TBA | R Munger | Stephanie Miller | |
| 7 | 10 | Spanish Fort | 53.5 | 71 | TBA | C Storey | Cliffie Miller | |
| 8 | 12 | Give Me Dynamite | 53 | 60 | TBA | *T Juglall -2.5 | Stephanie Miller | |
| 9 | 8 | Stupefy | 52.5 | 69 | A | B Nyawo | Dennis Cason | |
| 10 | 1 | Double Deluxe | 52 | 57 | TBA | J Penny | Tienie Prinsloo | |
| 11 | 6 | What A Captain | 52 | 57 | A | M Yeni | Tienie Prinsloo | |
| 12 | 7 | Day’s Of Thunder | 52 | 44 | BA | *K Matsunyane | Tienie Prinsloo | |
| Same Trainer – Not Coupled on Tote | ||||||||
| (2,7) (5,6,8) (10,11,12) | ||||||||
October 28th, 2019
Spanish fort makes steps out at Flamingo Park once again this afternoon. He has settled into his Kimberley home well and that is reflected in his form, more so over this 1000m dash. He has slipped three points in his Merit Rating since his last start and in this sort of company, he looks fairly well handicapped and a threat at a decent price. His work in the past week has been very impressive and that has been a result of the blinkers being fitted, to sharpen him up a little. Those go on today and Collen Storey retains the ride.
A slight concern would be the fact that he is drawn on the wrong side of the course, but he is expected to improve many lengths here and the stable give him a firm each way chance. Final field below:
1000m – 13:00
ALL TO COME MR 73 HANDICAP
Open
WFA: 3yrs-5.5kgs 4yrs-0kgs
| 1 | 11 | Elegant General | 60 | 73 | TBA | C Habib | Cliffie Miller | |
| 2 | 1 | Winter Trade | 58 | 69 | BA | M V’Rensburg | Cliffie Miller | |
| 3 | 7 | Concealed Secret | 57.5 | 68 | TBA | *D R Lerena | S von Willingh Smit | |
| 4 | 9 | Dolphin | 55.5 | 64 | BA | Wes Marwing | Stephanie Miller | |
| 5 | 5 | Lucky Veil | 55.5 | 64 | BA | M Yeni | Corrie Lensley | |
| 6 | 6 | Zip Line | 55 | 63 | TBA | R Munger | Stephanie Miller | |
| 7 | 14 | Spanish Fort | 54 | 72 | TBA | C Storey | Cliffie Miller | |
| 8 | 3 | Give Me Dynamite | 53.5 | 60 | TBA | M Thackeray | Stephanie Miller | |
| 9 | 12 | What A Captain | 53 | 59 | A | *N Klink | Tienie Prinsloo | |
| 10 | 10 | Double Deluxe | 52.5 | 58 | T A | *K Matsunyane | Tienie Prinsloo | |
| 11 | 4 | Class Protector | 52 | 53 | A | *M H Zuma -4.0 | Tobie Spies | |
| 12 | 13 | Aramouse | 52 | 52 | T A | *C F Dicken -4.0 | Corrie Lensley | |
| 13 | 2 | Windy Flight | 52 | 51 | A | *J R Syster -3.0 | Corne Spies | |
| 14 | 8 | Day’s Of Thunder | 52 | 45 | A | M Mjoka | Tienie Prinsloo | |
| Same Trainer – Not Coupled on Tote | ||||||||
| (1,2,7) (4,6,8) (5,12) (9,10,14) | ||||||||
August 27th, 2019
The replay below, after a solid effort by this son of Elusive Fort, in the final event on the card yesterday. As mentioned in the previous post, we expected a decent run from him over this preferred trip. At R6.00 a place, he presented plenty of value for punters.
August 26th, 2019
He runs in the 9th race at Flamingo Park today. His penultimate run was a fair effort on handicap debut, followed up by a disappointing run in the Kimberley Nursery last time out. He was drawn wide in that run and clearly tired in the latter stages, having found the 1400m a touch too far. He drops back to his favoured trip of a 1000m, where he won his maiden on this surface and this time around he will be fitted with the tongue tie. On his work at home, we believe he will be back in the money today and thus we give him a fair place chance. Field below.
1st R33750, 2nd R10800, 3rd R5400, 4th R2700, 5th R1350
MR 71 HANDICAP
Open
WFA: 3yrs-7kgs 4yrs-0kgs
| 1 | 10 | Winter Trade | 60 | 71 | BA | *K Matsunyane -1.5 | Tienie Prinsloo | |
| 2 | 2 | Elegant General | 57 | 65 | TBA | C Habib | Cliffie Miller | |
| 3 | 9 | Dolphin | 56.5 | 64 | BA | R Munger | Stephanie Miller | |
| 4 | 4 | African Magic | 56 | 63 | Ba | D De Gouveia | Bill Human | |
| 5 | 11 | Jet Sailor | 55.5 | 62 | TBA | L Bester | Tienie Prinsloo | |
| 6 | 7 | Spanish Fort | 52.5 | 70 | T A | C Storey +0.5 | Cliffie Miller | |
| 7 | 8 | Double Deluxe | 52.5 | 56 | T A | M Yeni | Tienie Prinsloo | |
| 8 | 1 | Zip Line | 52 | 52 | TBA | M Thackeray | Stephanie Miller | |
| 9 | 6 | Hector Heathcote | 52 | 49 | TBA | J Penny | Corrie Lensley | |
| 10 | 3 | Runaway Rebel | Scratched | 52 | 49 | A | +1.5 | Cliffie Miller |
| 11 | 5 | Royal Delight | 52 | 45 | TCA | Wes Marwing +2.0 | Stephanie Miller | |
| Same Trainer – Not Coupled on Tote | ||||||||
| (1,5,7) (2,6,10) (3,8,11) | ||||||||
July 22nd, 2019
Spanish Fort lines up in the Non-Black Type Kimberley Nursery today, in the 7th race at Flamingo Park. He needed his last run, when returning from his gelding and will strip a lot fitter now that he has had a sound prep leading up to this run. He was well beaten by the 1 on that occasion and Spanish Fort now receives a 2kg favourable turn around at the weights, for this run. He has tricky draw to overcome, but should have no issues finding a relatively handy position and with further improvement to come, we give him a solid place chance at a big price.
KIMBERLEY NURSERY (Non-Black-Type) – R110 000
For 2 year-olds
No Apprentice Allowance
| 1 | 6 | Axios | 60 | 0 | BA | M Yeni | Tobie Spies | |
| 2 | 10 | Baby Lets Mambo | 60 | 0 | a | Wes Marwing | Tobie Spies | |
| 3 | 7 | Linden Rock | 58 | 0 | TBa | R Munger | Stephanie Miller | |
| 4 | 11 | Spanish Fort | 58 | 0 | A | C Storey | Cliffie Miller | |
| 5 | 12 | What A Seven | 58 | 0 | BA | S Khumalo | Tienie Prinsloo | |
| 6 | 2 | Benino | 56 | 0 | A | E Webber | Corrie Lensley | |
| 7 | 9 | Luminance | 56 | 0 | TBA | M Thackeray | Stephanie Miller | |
| 8 | 3 | Grand Rapid | 55.5 | 0 | T A | M V’Rensburg | Cliffie Miller | |
| 9 | 5 | Ruby And Roses | 55.5 | 0 | BA | C Habib | Corrie Lensley | |
| 10 | 8 | She Can Dance | 55.5 | 0 | A | *T Juglall | Tobie Spies | |
| 11 | 4 | Code Black | 53.5 | 0 | A | J Greyling | Tobie Spies | |
| 12 | 1 | Kayden’s Bullet | 53.5 | 0 | A | C Zackey +0.5 | Tobie Spies | |
| Same Trainer – Not Coupled on Tote | ||||||||
| (1,2,10,11,12) (3,7) (4,8) (6,9) | ||||||||
June 24th, 2019
Spanish Fort runs in the first race at Flamingo Park on Monday 24th June 2019. He returns as a gelding after leaving the maidens in his forth start, last time out. Final Field below.
1300m – 12:20
ITSARUSH.CO.ZA WELCOMES YOU JUVENILE PLATE
For 2 year-olds
| 1 | 4 | Baby Lets Mambo | 60 | 0 | A | Wes Marwing | Tobie Spies | |
| 2 | 6 | Axios | 58 | 0 | BA | M Yeni | Tobie Spies | |
| 3 | 8 | Captain Morgane | Scratched | 58 | 0 | BA | J Greyling | Tobie Spies |
| 4 | 9 | Linden Rock | 58 | 0 | TBa | R Munger | Stephanie Miller | |
| 5 | 3 | Spanish Fort | 58 | 0 | A | M V’Rensburg | Cliffie Miller | |
| 6 | 7 | What A Seven | 58 | 0 | Ba | M Thackeray | Tienie Prinsloo | |
| 7 | 2 | Ruby And Roses | 55.5 | 0 | BA | C Habib | Corrie Lensley | |
| 8 | 5 | Acevedo | 55 | 0 | a | K Steyn | Jannie Borman | |
| 9 | 1 | Benino | 55 | 0 | A | *T Maharaj -4.0 | Corrie Lensley | |
| Same Trainer – Not Coupled on Tote | ||||||||
| (1,2,3) (7,9) | ||||||||
May 20th, 2019
Spanish Fort starts the week on a winning note. He won the opener on the card at Flamingo Park today. Well done to Cliffie Miller for a nice training feat and congrats to Marco van Rensburg for a text book ride, as well as Connemara Stud for breeding him. Purchased at the CTS Ready to Run Sale 2018.
January 16th, 2019
Spanish Fort impressed in his first Barrier Trial at Scottsville on Wednesday 16th January 2019. Not bad for a colt that went into full training less than 6 weeks ago.
See his replay below.