South African jockey RYAN MUNGER has made a yearly home in Toronto at Woodbine Racetrack since he traveled from his homeland for the 2023 Woodbine season. The well-spoken, personable horseman has quickly settled in as one of Ontario’s top riders, going from 48 wins to 52 to 78 victories in 2025. Munger was fifth at Woodbine by wins, 77, and purses, $3.6 million. He also won his first Canadian classic, guiding Stronach Stables’ Runaway Again to Prince of Wales glory at Fort Erie.
Fresh off a superb season at Woodbine, Munger is back in South Africa for the winter and he will ride at Kenilworth on January 10 (watch on www.HPIBet.com beginning Saturday morning at 7:15 a.m.) of the biggest day of the season at that track, L’Omarins King’s Plate (G1) day. South Africa’s King’s Plate, being held for the 165th time, is a grass race for three-year-olds and upward at one mile. The King’s Plate is a ‘Win and You’re In’ race for the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1), held at the Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Keeneland on October 30 and 31.
The Kenilworth card has two other Win and You’re In races, the Paddock Stakes (G1), which gives the winner a free berth in the $2 million Maker’s Mark Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1), and a new Challenge Series race – the Cape Flying Championship (G1), a 1,000-meter (5/8 mile) contest – which will serve as an automatic qualifier for the $1 million Prevagen Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1)
Munger will be riding DAVE THE KING in the King’s Plate from post one. The son of the Galileo (Ire) stallion Global View is a speedy type and Munger told Canadian Thoroughbred he is keen to ride the Mike and Matthew de Kock trainee.
“Dave The King is my main ride on the day,” said Munger, who has three mounts on the card, but then returns to his bases at Turffontein and Vaal for rides on the weekend. ” He was [2023-2024] South African Horse of the Year last year. He loves the distance and is training well. ”
The most recent South African Horse of the Year, Eight On Eighteen (Lancaster Bomber), leads the strong field and he will have internationally-acclaimed rider Oisin Murphy on board.
Munger also talked about his 2025 season at Woodbine.
“I had a great season, I’m very happy with how it went. I was privileged to ride some good-quality horses for new trainers and owners. My highlights were definitely Runaway Again and [graded stakes winner] Dresden Row. Each season I’ve improved from strength to strength.”
GI L’ORMARINS KING’S PLATE (Race 8)
Post Horse Trainer Rider
1. Dave The King, Mike & Mathew de Kock, Ryan Munger
2. Jan Van Goyen, Mike & Mathew de Kock, Callan Murray
3. Sugar Mountain, Candice Bass, Aldo Domeyer
4. Questioning, Vaughan Marshall, Richard Fourie
5. Sail The Seas, Justin Snaith, Muzi Yeni
6. The Real Prince, Dean Kannemeyer, Craig Zackey
7. Eight On Eighteen, Justin Snaith, Oisin Murphy
8. Garrix, Piet & Elbert Steyn, S’manga Khumalo
9. Gladatorian, Stuart Ferrie, Sean Veale
10. See It Again, Justin Snaith, Andrew Fortune
11. Legal Counsel, Justin Snaith, Chad Little
12. Jet Force, Des A McLachlan, Grant van Niekerk
13. Fire Attack, Alec Laird, Calvin Habib
14. Cosmic Speed, Sean Tarry, Gavin Lerena
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