Sean Tarry Racing will be doubly represented in Saturday’s R1 000 000 G2 Allied Steelrode - Onamission Charity Mile.
One of the country’s top one-mile features, the Tarry Yard will be saddling the G1 winners Cosmic Speed and Grand Empire in the 2026 Charity Mile.
Cosmic Speed, who is drawn in barrier two, will be ridden by Craig Zackey, while Keagan de Melo will partner Grand Empire.
Below is a brief description of each runner:
COSMIC SPEED
Owner: Mukund Gujadhur, Rikesh Sewgoolam and the Wernars Family
Breeder: Maine Chance Farms
Pedigree: Querari -Cosmic Dream
The five-year-old caught the eye when running on strongly for fifth, beaten less than three lengths by champion Gladatorian in the G2 Betway Joburg Spring Challenge last time out. With no Gladatorian in this race, Cosmic Speed, the winner of the 2025 G1 Wilgerbosdrift H F Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes, could well give a good account of himself, despite having to concede weight all round.
GRAND EMPIRE
Owner: Mukund Gujadhur, Rikesh Sewgoolam and the Wernars Family
Breeder: Al Adiyaat
Pedigree: Vercingetorix -Palace Of Dreams
This lightly raced four-year-old showed his class last season when he won the G1 HKJC World Pool SA Classic and ran second in the G2 TAB Gauteng Guineas. Has been beaten in his two most recent starts and does have a shocking draw to contend with in the Charity Mile Cosmic Speed will be running for the Ubunye Foundation, while stablemate Grand Empire will be carrying the hopes of the TAG Foundation.
UBUNYE FOUNDATION
A trust based in the rural communities of the Eastern Cape, the Ubunye Foundation is famed for its community leg programs which have a lasting impact. Since 2002, the Foundation has supported women-led childcare initiatives in Ndwayana and grown into a partnership spanning 5 wards, 50+ ECD centres, 80+ savings groups, and 5 health clinics. Ubunye also works in Fort Brown village in the Makana Municipality.
TAG FOUNDATION
The Tag Foundation’s mission is to provide support, both financial and emotional, to children in need. By partnering with renowned Johannesburg institutions King Edward VII School in Houghton and Parktown High School for Girls in Parkview, Tag aims to create an environment where every TAG Foundation learner has the opportunity to thrive and achieve and reach their full potential