There are many taglines written about this years renewal of Africa's Richest Race but none better than American outfit Team Valor, owners of Frances Ethel, calling it 'The Jol in Joburg'.

The star filly is currently second favourite for the big race with British Champion Jockey Oisin Murphy flying in just for the ride and attempting to win his first Grade 1 on the African continent.

The Jol In Joburg couldn't have been coined any better. Most of the hospitality is sold out and tickets are selling well according to race organizers. Numerous star power artists will form the basis of the parry due to set the city to music.

The 'Jol', a South African slang for party or celebration, will be at Turffontein on the 30 November, the iconic HQ of Joburg racing.

The race is almost as old as Joburg itself having first been run in 1887, a year after the formation of the city.

The 2000m race has attracted the two highest rated horses in South Africa, See It Again and Main Defender. It has also attracted the reigning Summer Cup champion, Royal Victory. However it's Frances Ethel who has the tongues wagging not only for her super star jockey but the horse itself. Ideally prepared into the race and a filly with stamina, which will count at the business end, she has been the talk of the town since the jockey booking of Oisin Murphy 6 weeks ago.

Murphy is excited by ride and has been following the Fillies progress whereever he has ridden. He watched her Charity Mile run from Del Mar during the Breeders' Cup even though he had a ride on the day. He followed her first effort as a 4 year old when running second to Beating Wings. He was suitably impressed.

Murphy has ridden in the United States, Canada, Bahrain, England, France and Spain in the past two weeks. He concludes his month in Africa, in Johannesburg for this 'Jol in Joburg'.

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Text: SAHorseracing.COM