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Marco van Rensburg steers Sheriff John Stone to Kenya Derby Classic glory at Ngong

Jockey Rachel Venniker

Jockey Rachel Venniker of South Africa leads Sheriff John Stone to victory in the Kenya Guineas at Ngong Racecourse on January 26, 2025.
 

Photo credit: Chris Omollo / Nation Media Group

By  Deja Vu

Joe Karari's, Sheriff John Stone, chaperoned by South African virtuoso Marco Van Rensburg, had his Kenya Derby rivals reeling over a barrel from the bend.

Swayze, Antwerp, and Act of Genius each had a brief bite of some front-row cake, but the 21 syndication of Racing Rascals were already popping corks as they witnessed their personified, calm Sheriff respond to Marco's cue.

Liverpool was never in the Sir David Markham commentary discussion. Sheriff John Stone could have gone another round. He knew the occasion's relevance.

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Let us declare that Sheriff John Stone clocked 2:26:2/10 secs, for 2,400m. The late, greatest Secretariat, chimed in a record-breaking 1972 Kentucky Derby, at 2:24:00.

Most average internationals hover around 2:34:00. It gives an idea of the propensity of Ngong's current Eminence.

Dr Patsy Sercombe plugged in a treble, which included Buster, with Lesley hurtling through Mervyn Ridley's Breeding Futurity Stakes Trophy, from Enigma. John Jellicoe was withdrawn under a Veterinary Certificate.

1.00 pm - First Race - Race Day of the Season Handicap (1,600m)

1. Trumpet Call (Ramazan Wako)

2. Allendale (Henry Muya)

3. Sticky Ricket (Nahashon Karanja

Distance: 1.4/0.75/neck. Time: 1:44:5/10 secs. Favourite: Pedasos 9-4. Runners: 6

Owned by Muhoho Kenyatta. Trainer Doctor Patsy Sercombe.

1.35 pm - Second Race - The Steward's Handicap Cup (1,400m)

1. Arlington (Samuel Wachira) Westonian-Hatton Gardens

2. Grand Surabi (Marco Van Rensburg)

3. Dalkeith (Henry Muya)

4. Twyford (Kenneh Ngugi)

Distance: 1.4/half/head Time: 1:29:1/10 secs. Favourite: nothing specific. Runners: 7

Owned by Mary Binks. Trainer Julie McCann

6.00 pm Saturday - The Arab Emirates Dubai World Cup (2,000m)

1. Hit Show (Florent Geroux 66-1)

2. Mixto (Frankie Dettori 40-1)

3. Forever Young (Rysai Sakai 4-9)

Distance: neck/neck/1.Time: 2:11:2/10 secs. Favourite: Forever Young. Runners: 11

Trainer Brad Cox

8.00 pm Saturday - The Randox Grand National (4 miles 3.5-furlongs)

1. Nick Rockett (Patrick Mullins 40-1)

2. I am Maximus (Paul Townend 10-1)

3. Grangeclare West (Brian Hayes 33-1

4. Iroko (Jonjo O'Neil Junior 16-1)

Meetingofthewaters (Danny Mullins 20-1)

Distance: 3/2/1. Time: 9:03:00. Favorite: I am Maximus. Runners: 34

Trainer: Willie Mullins

2.10 pm - Third Race - The Breeding Futurity Stakes Mervyn Ridley Trophy (1,000m)

1. Buster (Lesley Sercombe) Westonian-Simuni

2. The Enigma (Paul Kiarie)

3. Harbour Master (Henry Muya)

4. Chuckles (Wycliffe Matee)


John Jellicoe withdrawn under Veterinary Certificate

Distance: 1.4/8.4/2.5. Time: 1:03:2/10 secs. Favourite: Nothing specific. Runners:

Owned by Carol Bremner, Dee Roberts, Doctor Pasty Sercombe. Trainer Doctor Patsy Sercombe


2.45 pm - Fourth Race - The Civil Service Gold Cup George Drew Challenge Series (1,600m)

1. Russian Wonder (Ramazan Wako) Flower Alley-Tsarina

2. Bedford (Michael Fundi)

3. Player X (Marco Van Rensburg)

4. Coffee Break (James Muhindi

Distance: neck/2.4/1.75. Time: 1:44:9/10 secs. Favourite: Winner 6-4. Runners: 8

Owned by J. Ponsonby. Jennifer Ratcliff, Captain T. Oruya. Trainer Joe Karari


3.20 pm - Fifth Race - The Spanish Cup - (1,800m)

1. Lewis (Paul Kiarie) Westonian-Ellie

2. Carlisle (Marco Van Rensburg)

3. Easterly (James Muhindi)

4. Madame Zee (Ramazan Wako)

Pinamar withdrawn under Veterinary Certificate

Distance: 3.5/2.5/9.5. Time: 1:57:4/10 secs. Favourite: nothing specific. Runners: 5

Owned by Wakini Ndegwa.Trainer Oliver Gray


3.55 pm - Sixth Race - The Kenya Derby (2,400m)

1. Sheriff John Stone (Marco Van Rensburg) Master of my Fate-Party Crasher

2. Antwerp (James Muhindi)

3. Swayze (Paul Kiarie)

4. Act of Genius (Wycliffe Matee)

5. Kenny (Henry Muya)

Distance: 10/4.5/half. Time: 2:26:2/10 secs. Favourite: Winner 4-20. Runners: 6


Owned by Racing Rascals Syndication of 21 Members. Trainer Joe Karari

4.30 pm - Seventh Race - On the heels of Champions Maiden (1,200m)

1. Mo Fire (Lesley Sercombe)

2. Danbury (Michael Fndi)

3. Merope (Sabrya McGarvey)

Distance:17.5/14.75.  Time: 1:17:3/10 secs. Favourite: Winner 7-4 Runners 3

Owned by Muhoho Kenyatta. Trainer Doctor Patsy Sercombe.

Next meeting May 4 - for the Kenya Oaks, Cambridgeshire, Lord McMillan, Louis Cup