The Cape Racing and Breeding Awards for 2017 were held at Molenvliet Estate on Wednesday night with due recognition accorded to deserving nominees. The ceremony is an important precursor to the upcoming National Equus Awards – yet given that 24 of 28 Grade 1 winners and 18 of the top 20 breeders hail from the Western Cape, the distinguished black-tie gathering in the Stellenbosch Winelands carries a cache of its own.
Derek Brugman, accepting the Owners award of behalf of Mayfair Speculators aptly stated, “The strength of Cape racing is based on the products of Western Cape Breeder’s.” Legal Eagle is currently Avontuur Stud’s finest advert, clinching Horse of the Year on the back of ten wins from 18 starts and a slew of Grade 1 scores from a mile up to middle distances.
Cape Derby / Daily News winner Edict of Nantes, and Fillies Guineas victress, Just Sensual came out tops in the three year-old category with Gold Medallion winner, Sand and Sea and the still- perfect, Lady in Black cracking the nod for Juvenile’s.
Carry On Alice who has won Grade 1 races all around the country at 2,3, 4 and 5 years of age merited Champion Older Female, though she was edged out in a controversial call for Champion Sprinter, by stable mate Bull Valley. He also won two Grade 1’s this season and sports a marginally higher merit rating of 115 than the brilliant mare, who is now in the United Kingdom slated to start her breeding career.
Hermoso Mundo made it a much easier call for the judges by sweeping three important “Gold” stayer’s races – the Bowl, Vase and Cup. The Broodmare of the Year division was more contentious with Cheveley Stud’s “blue hen”, Mystic Spring, dam of Rabiya, Secret of Victoria and Bela Bela just getting the verdict.
Silvano with 13 Stakes winners and 54% winners to runners is the Cape Breeder’s Stallion of the Year. Together with Dynasty and the sadly deceased Captain Al, this terrific trio dominated their ranks by siring winners of half of the available Grade 1 races around South Africa. Former champion sprinter, What A Winter was deemed Outstanding New Stallion of the Year.
Champion Breeders’, Klawervlei together with Varsfontein Stud’s merited special recognition, as did pedigree boffin, handicapping guru and horseplayer advocate, Charles Faull who was deservedly honoured for his integrity and intellectual contribution to racing.
Qualifying criteria for the Cape Racing awards dictated that the trainer be domiciled in the Western Cape. There was predictably some overlap with the Cape Breeder’s awards, but with a few significant exceptions.
Brett Crawford swept several categories as stable stars, Captain America (Cape Racing Horse of the Year), Whisky Baron, Edict of Nantes and Search Party triumphed. His great rival Justin Snaith prevailed in the trainer contest with R21 million in stakes, primary contributors including Winter Series hero, African Night Sky, classy grey filly Bela Bela and quality stayer, Krambambuli.
Despite coming mighty close to downing the practically invincible Legal Eagle over 1600m, plus managing the rare feat of winning the Durban July under top weight, there was no trophy for the fleet-footed, Marinaresco. However, his trainer Candice Bass Robinson was specially acknowledged by the panel. She has taken over so adeptly from father Mike, who fell desperately ill at this same function two years ago. Altogether, happier times for the Bass family as they could celebrate recent sterling racing achievements together, noted graciously by industry peers who fittingly provided Bass’ daughter with a standing ovation, on her birthday.
List of Winners in the Cape Racing section:
Juvenile Male
Eyes Wide Open
Juvenile Filly
Magical Wonderland
3YO Male
Edict Of Nantes
3YO Filly
Just Sensual
Older Male
Captain America
Older Female
Bela-Bela
Sprinter (1000-1200m)
Search Party
Miler (1400-1600m)
Captain America
Middle Distance (1800-2200m)
Whisky Baron
Stayer (2400m and above)
Krambambuli
Western Cape Jockey
Greg Cheyne
Western Cape Apprentice
Craig Bantam
Western Cape Trainer
Justin Snaith.
Winners of the 2016/17 Cape Breeders Awards listed below:
2YO COLT:
Sand And Sea (Drakenstein)
2YO FILLY:
Lady In Black (WJ Engelbrecht Jnr)
3YO COLT:
Edict Of Nantes (Klawervlei)
3YO FILLY:
Just Sensual (Klawervlei)
SPRINTER:
Bull Valley (Ambiance)
MIDDLE DISTANCE:
Legal Eagle (Avontuur)
STAYER:
Hermoso Mundo (Mauritzfontein)
OLDER MALE:
Legal Eagle (Avontuur)
OLDER FEMALE:
Carry On Alice (Klawervlei)
BROODMARE OF THE YEAR:
Mystic Spring
STALLION OF THE YEAR
Silvano
OUTSTANDING NEW STALLION
What A Winter
BREEDER OF THE YEAR
Klawervlei Stud
HORSE OF THE YEAR
Legal Eagle
OUTSTANDING BREEDER
Varsfontein