Guineas Day And A Celebration Of Firsts

Guineas Day at Turffontein on Saturday, 7 February, marked not only the start of the 2026 The Championships Season on the Highveld, but also a day of memorable firsts for the stable.

Mike and Mathew de Kock saddled World Attraction (One World) to win first time out, the colt capturing Race 1 over 1000m with a standout performance.

Mathew commented: “World Attraction was the first horse Dad and I bought after announcing our new training partnership. It was also a first winner for the partnership that owns him, namely Arun Chadha and Warne Rippon’s ASSM Syndicate, Mike de Kock, Mukund Gujadhur, George Ragunan, Noeline Malherbe, and the Wernars Family.”


World Attraction with Monique, Diane and Mathew de Kock (left), Arun Chadha and Laurence Wernars (right).

The victory also marked the first winner saddled under the banner of Lucky Fish, the stable’s new sponsor. Mike said: “When Mathew returned from Australia, he rejuvenated the stable with his passion and fresh ideas. We’ve partnered with Lucky Fish, an online betting platform that shares the same ethos Mat has brought back from abroad – professional, dynamic, energetic, and unafraid to explore new avenues. We’re proud to be brand ambassadors and look forward to an exciting journey with the Lucky Fish team.”

Another notable milestone on the day was a first Grade 2 victory for the Murugasa family. Their fast-improving colt Splittheeights (Vercingetgorix)  produced a powerful surge to land the 2026 Gauteng Guineas and, with the opening leg secured, now stands as the sole remaining Triple Crown contender.


Preshalin, Jayson and John Murugasa. (JC Photos)

Race reports will follow.