Try GOLD - Free
Mastership claims his heritage
The Mercury
|December 22, 2025
THE R500,000 WSB Grand Heritage saw another big crowd enjoying themselves at the Vaal and produced its usual thrilling finish with the Diane Stenger-trained Mastership proving why he is held in such high regard and giving Marco van Rensburg a third success in the race that has the biggest field in South African racing.
Bred by the father and son partnership of Cecil & Dr Gary Baitz, the five-year-old Master Of My Fate gelding had been a supplementary entry for this year's Gr 1 Betway Summer Cup.
However, middle distances had seemed beyond him, because sandwiched in between a 1600m and 1500m victory in October and December respectively this year was a 3,95 length fourth over 1800m.
He was given a four point raise for the 1500m win, but the key was that this long-striding sort had seem to have come into his own since being applied with blinkers and since being ridden by Van Rensburg.
This story is from the December 22, 2025 edition of The Mercury.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM The Mercury
The Mercury
Give basic ingredients a budget-friendly glow-up
WE ALL know the feeling. One minute, you are living your best life in December, generously sponsoring the family braai and and soaking up every festive moment.
2 mins
January 06, 2026
The Mercury
The political economy of oil in Venezuela: Power, policy, and persistent decline
VENEZUELA'S oil industry is one of the most striking illustrations of how politics can both create and destroy economic prosperity.
4 mins
January 06, 2026
The Mercury
How India and South Africa are leveraging the circular economy to tackle e-waste
E-WASTE, the fastest-growing waste stream worldwide, is a global sustainability challenge emanating from the proliferation of technology in a consumer-driven society, which discards millions of tons of electronic devices each year.
2 mins
January 06, 2026
The Mercury
How to tackle back-to-school blues: tips for re-establishing kids’ routines
KIDS have been on holiday since early December, and with all the festivities, routines have probably flown right out the window.
2 mins
January 06, 2026
The Mercury
Reflections of genocide, the ones in the past and present
AFTER reading a 1994 book, 'A Witness to Genocide, by the late Roy Gutman, who charged that in that era of satellite technology, how come the US and Europe, who routinely share matters of threats to peace and security, remain silent until the dykes burst?
1 min
January 06, 2026
The Mercury
Jan Van Goyen can paint a 'King's' portrait
THE L'Ormarins King's Plate meeting is one of the iconic meetings of the South African turf and features the country's oldest race, which has been run annually since 1861.
4 mins
January 06, 2026
The Mercury
Smith ready to take his chance with both hands
JASON Smith belongs to an elite group of cricketers in South Africa that have actually won an ICC white-ball limited overs World Cup.
2 mins
January 06, 2026
The Mercury
Two killed in series of Russian attacks
RUSSIA bombarded Ukraine yesterday, killing two people in the Kyiv region, authorities said on the eve of a diplomatic summit in France.
2 mins
January 06, 2026
The Mercury
Food prices ease over festive season, but hunger persists
Millions of low-income households remain under severe financial strain, warns civil society groups
2 mins
January 06, 2026
The Mercury
Sharks must cure European travel sickness if they are to progress
IF THE Sharks can find a cure for their recent European travel sickness in Manchester on Saturday, they can strengthen their chances of advancing to the Investec Champions Cup playoffs.
2 mins
January 06, 2026
Listen
Translate
Change font size