History-making Royal Victory has as good a chance as any of landing the coveted Highveld Horse Of The Season award (JC Photos)
Royal Victory, Purple Pitcher and Gimme A Nother are the three dual Gr 1 winners on the Highveld this season, but the star gelding Main Defender will also be a strong candidate to land the coveted Highveld Horse Of The Season Award.
The awards ceremony takes place on Saturday 18 May.
Gimme A Nother is unbeaten in seven starts including two Gr 1s, two Gr 2s and a Gr 3. Mike de Kock had been heard to say say he was reserving judgement on her until she faces the best from around the country, which she will now not do because she is headed for the USA. However, it is not only her record but the manner of her wins that give her a strong chance of winning award. She has put daylight between herself and the opposition in all five of her Graded victories and in all seven of her career wins. Yet, she has sometimes looked to be in trouble halfway down the straight. That she can still win in such commanding fashion shows that she is no ordinary star. She gets better and better with each start too.
The Tony Peter-trained Pathfork gelding Main Defender has only won one Gr 1, the Wilgerbosdrift HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes, but he started the season by winning the Gr 2 Betway Jo’Burg Spring Challenge over 1450m by 6,50 lengths, he then beat Sandringham Summit by a shorthead in the Gr 3 Betway Graham Back Stakes over 1400m, albeit when reciving 1kg, and he followed up with victory in the Gr 3 Betway Got The Green Light Stakes over 1400m before winning the Horse Chestnut by 2,75 lengths. The latter win saw him being raised to a 131 merit rating. That makes him the highest rated horse on the Highveld.
The Nathan Kotzen-trained Pathfork gelding Royal Victory won Jo’Burg’s traditional biggest race, the Gr 1 Betway Summer Cup over 2000m by a comfortable 2,25 lengths, albiet with bottom weight of 54kg, and he then proved he could win at Gr 1 weight for age level too when winning the Gr 1 Premier’s Champions Challenge by half-a-length over the same course and distance. He was raised to a 125 merit rating after the latter victory. However, the collateral form shows his weight for age win to be every bit as good as Main Defender’s. Main Defender beat Dave The King by 2,75 lengths in the Horse Chestnut, while Royal Victory beat that same horse by 4,25 lengths in the Premier’s. Royal Victory also beat Cousin Casey, Son Of Raj and Puerto Manzano by wider Margins than managed by Main Defender, although Safe Passage did get closer in the Premier’s than in the Horse Chestnut. What should give Royal Victory a strong chance of landing the Horse Of The Year award is that he made history – he is the only out of province horse to ever win the Premier’s and he is only the second out of province horse this millenium to win the Summer Cup. With such scant success from out of province horses in both races, his double is a remarkable achievement.
Last but certainly not least, the Robyn Klaasen-trained New Predator colt Purple Pitcher has only been beaten once in his last eight starts and he is notable for his supreme courage. He is a horse who always seems to find more when it is needed and this has enabled him to win the Gr 1 TAB SA Classic from the front, the Gr 1 TAB SA Derby from a prominent position and he also won the prestigious Gr 2 Jonsson Workwear Dingaans as well as a BSA Sales race. His only loss for the Klaasen yard was when needing it over the too sharp Gr 2 TAB Gauteng Guineas trip. It would be tough for him to lose out on the Horse Of The Season award when considering the racing adage, “You can only win”.
The Sean Tarry-trained Thunderstruck would also be a contender if his form from Cape Town counted towards the award. He won the Gr 1 Jonsson Workwear Computaform Sprint as well as the Gr 2 Khaya Stables Diadem in Cape Town and he was runner up in the Gr 1 World Pool Cape Flying Championship.
A press release with all the Highveld Feature Season Awards nominees was sent out last week and is shown below:
4Racing is thrilled to announce the return of the 2024 Highveld Feature Season Awards, set to take place at The Galleria in Sandton on Saturday, 18 May 2024. This prestigious horse racing industry event will serve as a platform to honour and celebrate the remarkable achievements of the stars of Highveld Feature racing throughout the season which ended this past Saturday with the Championships Finale.
The Highveld Feature Season Awards recognise excellence across a range of categories, highlighting the diverse talents and performances that have graced the Highveld racing scene over the past season.
The nominees for the 2024 Highveld Feature Season Awards are:
Champion two-year-old filly:
• Almond Sea
• Little Ballerina
• Simply Majestic
Champion two-year-old colt/gelding:
• Fire Attack
• Pistol Pete
• Proceed
Champion three-year-old filly:
• To be announced at the awards ceremony
Champion three-year-old colt/gelding:
• Main Defender
• Purple Pitcher
• Sandringham Summit
Champion older filly/mare:
• Feather Boa
• Mrs Browning
• Silver Hills
Champion older horse:
• Royal Victory
• Thunderstruck
Champion sprinter:
• Dyce
• Lucky Lad
• Main Defender
• Sandringham Summit
• Thunderstruck
Champion Middle distance horse:
• Gimme A Nother
• Main Defender
• Purple Pitcher
• Royal Victory
Champion Stayer:
• Crimson King
• Frances Ethel
• Purple Pitcher
• Rule Book
• Zeus
Nico Kritsiotis, Chairman of the voting process, leads a diverse panel of judges including, Jack Milner and Bradley Ralph. The selection process was meticulous, with some categories attracting a lengthy discussion while others were more straightforward and predictable. However, the judges are confident that the final decisions accurately reflect that a fair and correct process had taken place.
“Hosting the Highveld Feature Season Awards this year is a true honour for 4Racing, as it allows us to shine a spotlight on the exceptional talent and achievements within our racing community. This day is not just about celebrating the winners, but also about recognising the dedication, passion, and hard work that all stakeholders contribute to our sport. We congratulate all the nominees and look forward to an unforgettable evening,” said Fundi Sithebe, 4Racing CEO.
The winners in the following categories are based on a points structure and will be announced at the Awards function:
Champion Work Rider
Champion Apprentice
Champion Breeder of the season
Champion Owner of the season
Champion Jockey of the season
Champion Trainer of the season
The following points structure was applied:
1st 2nd 3rd
Grade 1 12 9 7
Grade 2 9 6 4
Grade 3 6 3 1
Listed 2 – –
All equine winners will be eligible for the highly coveted Horse of the Season award, adding an extra layer of anticipation. 4Racing extends its best wishes to all nominees in their respective categories and look forward to hosting them on the evening.
