A sold out crowd - including a number of international punters and local celebrities were in attendance as South Africa’s top 16 thoroughbreds came together at Kenilworth racecourse on Saturday, 9 January for the country’s leading weight-for-age horse race, the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate (LQP).
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Outsider Legal Eagle, ridden by jockey Anton Marcus, thrilled punters to take the R1-million purse, to open the 2016 racing season while the LQP was also the most talked about event in South Africa on the weekend with #LQP2016 being the country’s number one trending hashtag.

“LQP 2016 once again proved why it is an internationally-recognised horse-racing event. It was a superb day at the races and reminded all present why LQP is also considered the Cape’s most prestigious horse racing and social occasion,” said L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate coordinator, Katherine Gray.

LQP’s stellar card featured several internationally-recognised races including the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate and Maine Chance Farms Paddock Stakes (Grade 1), the only South African races which allow their winners entry into the elite Breeders’ Cup Mile in the USA, as well as the Glorious Goodwood Peninsula Stakes Grade 2.

The latter is a race swap with England’s revered race, with LQP also having its own race run at Glorious Goodwood annually.

The Cape’s premier horse-racing and social event didn’t disappoint track-side either with unique decor pieces, such as the LQP prop merry go-round, and over 5000 attendees donning their finest blue & white fashions in pursuit of the day’s coveted Best Dressed honours.

The Best Dressed Man, sponsored by Cartier, was won by Jorge Mavova who took home both bragging rights and a Cartier wallet while the Best Dressed Lady Prize was won by Naledi Mabuso who received a Signature Treatment voucher by Langaro Lifestyle Centre and will be flown to attend the Glorious Goodwood event in the UK in August 2016. The Best Hat winner was Carolyn Steyn whose prize included a Cartier Bag, sponsored by Cartier.