Any seasoned participant in the horseracing industry will be aware that passion and hard work are integral features of any successful stable. It is a most rewarding profession to be a part of and getting out in the early morning with beautiful thoroughbreds, may just be the perfect way to start the day.

The hard-working grooms are the early risers who attend to all of the basic needs of their charges. This includes cleaning the stables and feeding, watering and grooming the horses. The next step is taking them to the training tracks to put them through their exercise regime. And on race days, the grooms accompany their horses to the racecourses and ensure their safe return.

The Highveld Autumn Feature Season gets under way at Turffontein on Saturday 13 February and we are pleased to announce that a new initiative will be launched on the day to reward the grooms for their contribution to horseracing.

Trainers regard the grooms as an integral part of their operation and in keeping with the plans of the industry to empower and promote grooms, the Racing Association has managed to secure a sponsorship from prominent owner and Chair of Studio-88, Laurence Wernars.

The cash prizes will be awarded to each groom for each feature race on the calendar as follows:

1st place: R2500 and a winning trophy
2nd place: R1000
3rd place: R 750
4th place: R 500
5th place: R 250

Qualifying races are detailed hereunder
FEBRUARY 2021
Sat 13 Feb WSB Gauteng Guineas G2
Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas G2
Tommy Hotspur Hcp G3
Sat 20 Feb Egoli Mile NBT
Sat 27 Feb Acacia Hcp G3
Bauhinia Hcp L
Storm Bird Stakes L
Ruffian Stakes L

MARCH 2021
Sat 6 Mar WSB SA Classic G1
Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Classic G1
Hawaii Stakes G2
Aquanaut Hcp L
Sat 13 Mar Senor Santa Stakes G2
Drum Star Hcp L
Derby Trial L
Oaks Trial L
Sun Chariot Hcp NBT
Gold Rush Sprint NBT
Sat 20 Mar Sycamore Sprint G3
Jacaranda Hcp L
Sat 27 Mar Colorado King Stakes G2
Protea Stakes G3
Pretty Polly Stakes G3

APRIL 2021
Sat 3 Apr WBS SA Derby G1
Horse Chestnut Stakes G1
Wilgerbosdrift SA Oaks G2
Caradoc Gold Cup G3
Man O War Sprint G3
Sat 10 Apr Spook Express Hcp L
Sat 17 Apr Empress Club Stakes G1

MAY 2021
Sat 1 May Champions Challenge G1
Computaform Sprint G1
Gerald Rosenberg Stakes G2
Camelia Stakes G2
SA Nursery G2
SA Fillies Nursery G2
Gold Bowl G3