In the midst of a very a tumultuous time for the racing industry, role players, stakeholders, sponsors, and lovers
of the sport on Tuesday night honoured their very best at the annual Equus Awards.
Congregating at Emperor’s Palace for a gl¡ttering blacktie gala event, the best of the best from all over the country celebrated their successes achieved last season and drew inspiration for the year ahead.
“The Equus Awards is all about celebrating and enjoying what the sport of racing is all about,” said Phumelela’s
Rob Scott.
“It’s an evening where all the nominated participants who form part of these fantastic athletes can enjoy the rewards of the past season.”
While the big three – Sean Tarry, Justin Snaith and Mike de Kock – made their presence felt in every category, there
was also joy for trainers Gavin van Zyl and Joe Soma, proving that the smaller yards have a vital role to play in South African racing.
And while Tarry claimed back the title of Trainer Of The Year which he relinquished to Snaith a year ago, it was Snaith who claimed more than a handful of awards last night – thanks mostly to Do It Again, winner of the
L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate and the Vodacom Durban July.
Do It Again took home Champion Miler, Middle Distance Horse, Older Male, and the ultimate prize of Horse-Of-The-Year
Oh Susanna, winner of the Horse-Of-The-Year title last year, was not left without a crown as she was named
Champion Older Filly/Mare.
“People don’t always realize the amount of work, or the size of the team, it takes to produce a winner,” said Scott.
“While the winning connections are celebrating in style tonight, let’s not forget the grooms, the stablehands, the workriders and all the other staff who work long hours to ensure the perfect conditioning of the horses,”
Scott said
2019 EQUUS AWARDS – WINNERS
CHAMPION TWO YEAR FILLY (DISTANCE IMMATERIAL)
Gabor
CHAMPION TWO YEAR OLD COLT (DISTANCE IMMATERIAL)
Got The Greenlight
CHAMPION THREE YEAR OLD FILLY (DISTANCE IMMATERIAL)
Celtic Sea
CHAMPION THREE YEAR OLD COLT (DISTANCE IMMATERIAL)
Hawwaam
CHAMPION OLDER FILLY/MARE (DISTANCE IMMATERIAL)
Oh Susanna (AUS)
CHAMPION OLDER MALE (DISTANCE IMMATERIAL)
Do It Again
CHAMPION SPRINTER (1000-1200 METRES ; AGE/GENDER IMMATERIAL)
Kasimir
CHAMPION MILER (1400-1600METRES; AGE/GENDER IMMATERIAL)
Do It Again
CHAMPION MIDDLE DISTANCE HORSE (1800-2200 METRES;AGE/GENDER IMMATERIAL)
Do It Again
CHAMPION STAYER (2400 METRES UPWARDS; AGE/GENDER IMMATERIAL)
Magnificent Seven
CHAMPION BROODMARE
Halfway To Heaven
CHAMPION STALLION
Silvano
CHAMPION BREEDER
Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein
APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR
Luke Ferraris
CHAMPION JOCKEY
Lyle Hewitson
CHAMPION TRAINER
Sean Tarry
OWNER OF THE YEAR
Mr Chris van Niekerk
HORSE OF THE YEAR
Do It Again
Image the Trophy Haul, it's needed a trolley
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