SOUTH AFRICAN horseracing’s stars of the 2009-10 season, which ended on 31 July, will be honoured on Thursday 12 August when the Equus Awards will be presented at Emperors Palace.

Ten awards will be presented to the connections of the top horses in the different age and distance categories and racing will also pay homage to the greatest human achievers during the 12 months.

The Equus Award nominees are:

Two-year-old Filly: Chocolicious, Happy Archer, Mahbooba, Waywest Goddess
Two-year-old Colt: Copper Parade, Gold Onyx, Kavanagh, Link Man
Three-year-old Filly: Gibraltar Blue, Here to Win, Imperious Star
Three-year-old Colt: Ancestral Fore, Bold Silvano, Bravura, Irish Flame, Noordhoek Flyer, Orbison, Pierre Jourdan
Older Filly/Mare: Captain’s Girl, Mother Russia, Noble Heir, River Jetez
Older Male: Big City Life, JJ the Jet Plane, Pocket Power, Smart Banker
Sprinter: JJ the Jet Plane (pictured), Noble Heir
Middle-distance Horse: Big City Life, Bold Silvano, Irish Flame, Pierre Jourdan, Pocket Power
Stayer: Ancestral Fore, Irish Flame
Horse Of The Year:
Trainer: Mike de Kock
Jockey: Anton Marcus
Apprentice: Aldo Domeyer
Work rider: John Nel
Owner/s: Ingrid and Markus Jooste
Breeder: Summerhill Stud
Stallion: Jet Master