Hollywoodbets, whose name was inspired by the race track Hollywood Park racetrack, purchased three outstanding horses at the 2018 Emperors Palace Ready To Run Sale. The Impact team speaks to James Everett Hollywoodbets' Racing Manager about their 2018 purchases and their plans for the 2019 edition of the same sale. In a dual role as both the bloodstock and racing manager for Hollywoodbets is involved in both the purchase and racing of bloodstock for the syndicate.
Q: At last year's Ready To Run Sale you bought 3 excellent horses. What are your plans for this year?
A: We currently own 73 horses outright, with around 45 unraced. As far as plans for future sales are concerned I will be keeping a close eye on the new stallions on the scene. The sales where we have enjoyed a fair amount of success include the CTS Cape Premier Yearling Sale, the BSA National Yearling Sale and the BSA KZN Yearling Sale. All three sales will be on our radar once again, this year.
We have also developed a great relationship with Gold Circle, the KZN racing operator and we currently own the naming rights to both racetracks in KwaZulu-Natal, namely Hollywoodbets Greyville and Hollywoodbets Scottsville. Through our partnership, we intend to assist Gold Circle by taking thoroughbred horse racing in the province to the next level. One of our current campaigns is to reward each winning groom in the province with a cheque for R1000. This is over and above their winning fee. It’s an initiative to draw attention to the importance of grooms when it comes to the sport as a whole.
Q: Please tell us a bit more about your selection process when from the time the catalogue is released until you actually buy the horse?
A: My selection process involves two important steps. With this being a game of percentages, I do rely on the facts and figures of stallions and mares. Buying from the right stallions significantly increases the chances of finding a good one. With that said, we do have a fairly even spread of offspring from the various top stallions in the country. As our racing in South Africa is very much focussed on sprinting and middle distance racing I tend to focus on sprinter milers. Finding a successful mare with speeding her blood is, therefore, always a plus. I also use various online tools, not limited to the likes of Gr.1 Goldmine and Trucks.
A thorough inspection, conducted before and during the sales, is probably the most important step for me. Confirmation, appearance and a good walk all allow me to use my imagination when looking at yearlings and young two-year-olds. That ability to use your imagination to envision what a horse may turn into as they mature is not easy to teach. Finally, for peace of mind, I often get the vet to inspect any concerns that I may have with an intended purchase which also always helps.
Q: Please tell us about the most expensive horse you have ever purchased.
A: The most expensive horse we have purchased to date is an R400 000 Soft Falling Rain filly, at the 2018 BSA National
Yearling Sale. At the same sale, we picked up an R300 000 Gimmethegreenlightfilly (Travelling Light) who has shown us
a lot of promise – having won 2 from 4. We purchased a Mambo In Seattle colt privately last year and he has recently landed his
5th career win at the 15th time of asking. Called Seattle Force, he is currently a 4-year-old and should be an exciting prospect for
the season ahead.
Q: Will you be able to share any difficult private sales you have encountered?
A: Luckily enough, we haven’t encountered any to speak of. We have our rules and we stick to them. At the end of the day, it is a matter of having two parties involved: a willing buyer and a willing seller. And it is better to do your homework beforehand to avoid any regrets when it’s too late.
Q: How long have you been involved with the thorough bread industry? Could you tell us a bit about your current role?
A: I have been professionally involved in the thoroughbred racing industry for fifteen years in total. When I was just 18 years old I started working for an independent bookmaker in Durban South Africa, before becoming the Client Liaison Manager for top South African trainer – Glen Kotzen.
I also spent some time working as the Agent for top South African rider, Bernard Fayd’herbe and our partnership culminated in him becoming a champion jockey in the Western Cape, South Africa. No mean feat as a top-weight rider! Although I’ve had shares in various horses over the years, I am yet to be involved in a black-type winner.
Currently, at age 33, I am the Syndicate Manager for the Hollywoodbets brand. Hollywoodbets is the biggest bookmaker in South Africa, and one of my roles is to attend sales where I, together with the various Hollywoodbets trainers, select and purchase horses on behalf of the Syndicate.
Q: Please tell us about your family and background?
A: I am a South African born to two English parents. My mother was born in Derbyshire while my father was born in Norwich (both in the UK). I also have an older sister who is married and a mother of three. She lives in Perth, Australia.
Published In The Impact 21 Issue, 2 Vol
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