Master Of Ceremonies Graeme Hawkins kept everybody on tenterhooks before the announcement of the KZN Horse Of The Year on Wednesday night in the Hollywoodbets Greyville Classic Room.
He did a mock commentary of Captain’s Ransom and Jet Dark dueling for the line and then said, “And it goes to …”
The screen then revealed the award had been shared.
Some people do not like shared awards, but in reality it was the best outcome.
The Justin Snaith-trained pair of superstars have never met and it is impossible on form to say which one of them is better.
In boxing terms, considering all of the Horse Of The Year decisions around the country, the end result would be a split decision and it would overall go to Captain’s Ransom.
She was voted Equus Horse Of The Year and Cape Regional racing Horse Of The Year, while Jet Dark was voted Cape Breeders Horse Of The Year and the KZN Racing Awards panel could not separate the pair.
Suzette and Basie Viljoen and Megan Trott (the assistant trainer at Snaith’s former satellite yard in KZN) received the reward for Captain’s Ransom and Kevin Sommerville, the racing manager of Drakenstein Stud, who bred Jet Dark, received it on behalf of the latter, who is owned by Nick Jonsson and Tommy Crowe.
The other winners of the equine and human awards were:
- Champion Two Year Old Filly – Canadian Summer
- Champion Two Year Old Colt – Cousin Casey
- Champion Three Year Old Filly – Silver Darling
- Champion Three Year Old Male – Waterberry Lane
- Champion Sprinter – Captain’s Ransom
- Champion Middle Distance Filly/Mare – She’s A Keeper
- Champion Middle Distance Horse – Jet Dark
- Champion Stayer – Decorated
- KZN Champion Apprentice – Rachel Venniker
- KZN Champion Jockey – Keagan De Melo
- KZN Champion Trainer – Gareth Van Zyl
- KZN Champion Breeder – Mauritzfontein & Wilgerbosdrift
- KZN Champion Owner – Hollywood Syndicate
