
Picture: Captain’s Ransom (left) and Jet Dark are the two favourites for the Equus Horse Of The Year Award (Equus Awards).
Get Your Equus Award Votes In
Public Voting Closes At Midday On Friday.
The public voting for thus year’s Equus Awards has been opened and the relevant URL is https://equusawards.co.za// (CLICK HERE)
The awards system was explained last week in detail by two members of the Equus Awards team, Graeme Hawkins and Jay August.
- A points system based on Graded and Listed race performance.
- Voting by an expert panel. This panel used to be the sole judge of the awards and will as usual have a panel of five, although the voting system has been slightly changed.
- A public vote.
Equus Awards 2022 – Points Tables to 31 July 2022
| Horse of the Year | Age | Sex | Pts |
| JET DARK (SAF) | 4 | C | 152 |
| CAPTAIN’S RANSOM (SAF) | 4 | F | 148 |
| KOMMETDIEDING (SAF) | 4 | C | 108 |
| SPARKLING WATER (SAF) | 4 | F | 107 |
| Champion Three-Year-Old Male | Age | Sex | Pts |
| SAFE PASSAGE (SAF) | 3 | G | 90 |
| POMP AND POWER (SAF) | 3 | G | 84 |
| ARAGOSTA (SAF) | 3 | G | 52 |
| Champion Three-Year-Old Female | Age | Sex | Pts |
| RAIN IN HOLLAND (SAF) | 3 | F | 86 |
| CHANSONETTE (SAF) | 3 | F | 72 |
| BIG BURN (SAF) | 3 | F | 64 |
| Champion Older Male | Age | Sex | Pts |
| JET DARK (SAF) | 4 | C | 152 |
| KOMMETDIEDING (SAF) | 4 | C | 108 |
| MK’S PRIDE (SAF) | 4 | C | 83 |
| ASTRIX (SAF) | 5 | G | 80 |
| Champion Older Female | Age | Sex | Pts |
| CAPTAIN’S RANSOM (SAF) | 4 | F | 148 |
| SPARKLING WATER (SAF) | 4 | F | 107 |
| PRINCESS CALLA (SAF) | 4 | F | 52 |
| Champion Sprinter | Age | Sex | Pts |
| CAPTAIN’S RANSOM (SAF) | 4 | F | 72 |
| BIG BURN (SAF) | 3 | F | 46 |
| ALESIAN CHIEF (SAF) | 3 | C | 45 |
| MASTER ARCHIE (SAF) | 3 | C | 40 |
| BOHICA (SAF) | 5 | G | 40 |
| Champion Miler | Age | Sex | Pts |
| MK’S PRIDE (SAF) | 4 | C | 83 |
| AL MUTHANA (AUS) | 4 | G | 68 |
| JET DARK (SAF) | 4 | C | 60 |
| Champion Middle Distance | Age | Sex | Pts |
| JET DARK (SAF) | 4 | C | 92 |
| SPARKLING WATER (SAF) | 4 | F | 79 |
| KOMMETDIEDING (SAF) | 4 | C | 72 |
| ASTRIX (SAF) | 5 | G | 66 |
| Champion Stayer | Age | Sex | Pts |
| BLACK THORN (SAF) | 4 | G | 21 |
| SPARKLING WATER (SAF) | 4 | F | 20 |
| NEBRAAS (SAF) | 5 | G | 20 |
| SHANGANI (SAF) | 4 | G | 18 |
| Champion Two-Year-Old Male | Age | Sex | Pts |
| COUSIN CASEY (SAF) | 2 | C | 48 |
| THUNDERSTRUCK (SAF) | 2 | C | 32 |
| Champion Two-Year-Old Female | Age | Sex | Pts |
| CANADIAN SUMMER (SAF) | 2 | F | 32 |
| SWEET PEPPER (SAF) | 2 | F | 32 |
| AMEENA (SAF) | 2 | F | 24 |




Picture: Jacques Chowles, chairman of the CTS Gold Rush committee.
CTS Appoints Gold Rush Committee
The 16 Prospectors For Gold Rush 1 Revealed Below!
A committee has been appointed to oversee and manage the lead-up to the CTS Gold Rush over 1600m, to be contested for a staggering stake of R7.5million, scheduled for Cape Met Day, 28 January 2023.
The CTS Gold Rush was launched at the 2021 Cape Premier Yearling Sale held at the beautiful De Grendel Wine Estate. Based on the same principle as The Everest in Australia, the CTS Gold Rush offers 16 ticketholders (prospectors) the opportunity to race for the massive stake. The race is open to graduates of the 2021 Cape Premier Yearling Sale.
The role of the committee is to ensure that the ticketholders and their respective runners trade within the published Gold Rush Terms and Conditions, and that the necessary contractual obligations are adhered to.
Introducing the Committee:
Chairman: Jacques Chowles is a trained accountant, wealth manager, and commercial property expert, who has combined his love for racing with his professional background, and serves as Sales Manager for CTS.
Racing: Pippa Mickleburgh, General Manager of Avontuur Estate, has long been one of the leading thoroughbred breeders in South Africa. She is admired for her wealth of pedigree knowledge, and popular for her personality and no-nonsense approach.
Racing: Ken Nicol, former NHA handicapper, former editor of Turf Talk, and racing freelancer, brings his industry knowledge and experience to the table.
Legal: Hein Hattingh is one of the founding members and Managing Director of In2Assets, the property auctioneering industry leader in KwaZulu-Natal. He was a practicing attorney for 10 years before he entered the auction industry in 2001, and will assist the committee in covering legal bases where needed.
Operator: Donovan Everitt, Commercial Marketing and Events Manager for Cape Racing, has been a driving force behind improving hospitality and the racehorse owners’ experience, and his expertise in the field is of great value.
Operator: Justin Vermaak, SA racing’s dynamic all-rounder, has extensive experience as a racehorse syndicate manager, bloodstock agent, and owner-racing manager. He was recently appointed Head of Racing Operations for Cape Racing.
Participation in the first CTS Gold Rush involved purchasing one of the 16 Prospector tickets available.
The Gold Rush is not limited to the sixteen Prospectors. Jacques Chowles re-affirmed: “Anyone who bought a horse at the 2021 Premier Sale has a chance of sharing in the rewards. If you acquired a promising racer, the Prospectors will be knocking down your door to negotiate, either for an outright purchase, or a partnership deal. There will be exciting opportunities for the connections of all promising young runners. The winning owners will receive a lucrative R5-million as first prize.”
The first CTS Gold Rush Log will be published within the next few days in order for Prospectors to begin their search for the horse they will deem most likely to bag the big prize.
Chowles added: “The most important role of the committee will be to finalise and approve agreements between ticket holders and owners of promising runners. We look forward to assisting everyone involved in this most exciting and innovative venture for CTS and the racing industry.”
Excitement is already growing among the 16 prospectors, and Mark Bass of Bass Racing, who bought the 9th ticket, commented: “We are delighted to be a part of the first Gold Rush initiative. We have quite a few options and promising horses to choose from in the stable, so it will be interesting to see how it all pans out, as I think it will go to the wire. Money talks in this instant, so it will all come down to the negotiations. It is a great initiative by CTS.”
Crawford Racing purchased the 13th ticket and Brett Crawford said: “We have a few possible candidates that qualify. We will have to get going with them soon, and the journey promises to be exciting.”
Sandy Arundel acquired the 15th ticket, and she commented: “We have three colts to come into the reckoning; they will be leaving their current base in KwaZulu-Natal to join Eric Sands in Cape Town. We are hoping they will turn out to be good runners – the concept is novel and exciting. We will be open to negotiating either way.”
The 16 Prospectors for Gold Rush 1 are:
David Abery
Central Route Trading
Chris van Niekerk and Bernard Kantor
Suzette and Basie Viljoen
Ridgemont Highlands Stud
Hollywoodbets
Pieter Graaff and Ken Truter
Maine Chance Farms
Bass Racing and Ian Longmore
Rikesh Sewgoolam
Drakenstein Stud
Laurence Wernars
Crawford Racing
Klawervlei Stud
Sandy Arundel
Playgate SA
ENDS.

Picture: Drakenstein Stud had a halcyon season and had 18 individual stakes winners (a record) of 25 races.
Nominees For ROA and Cape Breeders Awards
The 2022 ROA and Breeders Awards will be held in The 1881 Lounge, Kenilworth Racecourse on Saturday 3 September 2022.
The event is hosted by the Racehorse Owners Association and Cape Breeders to honour and celebrate the achievements of the champions during the Western Cape racing season.
The first set of nominees below are for the Racing Owners Association (ROA) 2022 Awards and the second set are for the Cape Breeders Club (CTC) 2022 Awards.
ROA Awards Nominees:
- Juvenile colt of the year:
COUSIN CASEY
WE’RE JAMMING
- Juvenile filly of the year:
AMEENA
EPSOM GIRL
WHO DO YOU LOVE
- Champion 3 year old colt :
DOUBLE SUPERLATIVE
POMP N POWER
COSMIC HIGHWAY
GEM KING
- Champion 3 year old filly:
CHANSONETTE
SILVER DARLING
AMANZIMTOTI
- Champion older male:
JET DARK
KOMMETDIEDING
- Champion older female:
CAPTAIN’S RANSOM
MARINA
- Champion sprinter:
CAPTAIN’S RANSOM
COSMIC HIGHWAY
- Champion miler:
CAPTAIN’S RANSOM
CHANSONETTE
COUSIN CASEY
DOUBLE SUPERLATIVE
JET DARK
SEEKING THE STARS
- Champion middle distance:
DO IT AGAIN
JET DARK
KOMMETDIEDING
MARINA
POMP N POWER
SILVER DARLING
- Champion Stayer:
CROME YELLOW
PINK TOURMALINE
SALVATORE MUNDI
SILVER HOST
ONE WAY TRAFFIC
While some categories were fairly predictable, others attracted heated debate from the panel. However, by the conclusion of the deliberations the judges were satisfied that a fair process had taken place and the correct decisions were taken.
Winners in the following categories will be announced at the Awards function:
- Champion Work Rider
- Champion Apprentice
- Champion Owner of the season
- Champion Jockey of the season
- Champion Trainer of the season
- Horse of the season
- Special Achievement Award

| CAPE BREEDERS AWARDS 2022 NOMINEES | ||
| Award | Horse | Breeder |
| Champion 2 Year Old Colt | ||
| Cousin Casey | Riyo Stud | |
| Karangetang | Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein | |
| Swing Upon A Star | Narrow Creek Stud | |
| Thunderstruck | Avontuur Thoroughbred Farm | |
| Champion 2 Year Old Filly | ||
| Ameena | Al Khayl Breeders | |
| Canadian Summer | Oldlands Stud | |
| Sweet Pepper | Drakenstein Stud | |
| Champion 3 Year Old Colt | ||
| Aragosta | Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein | |
| Alesian Chief | Ambiance Stud | |
| Double Superlative | Patricia Devine | |
| Pomp and Power | Maine Chance Farms | |
| Safe Passage | Drakenstein Stud | |
| Champion 3 Year Old Filly | ||
| Chansonette | Maine Chance Farms | |
| Rain in Holland | Drakenstein Stud | |
| Silver Darling | Drakenstein Stud | |
| Champion Older Male | ||
| Astrix | Riverton Stud | |
| Flying Carpet | Riethuiskraal Stud | |
| Jet Dark | Drakenstein Stud | |
| Kommetdieding | Klawervlei Stud | |
| Champion Older Female | ||
| Captain’s Ransom | Moutonshoek Stud | |
| Princess Calla | Maine Chance Farms | |
| She’s A Keeper | Missing U Syndicate | |
| Sparkling Water | Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein | |
| Champion Sprinter | ||
| Alesian Chief | Ambiance Stud | |
| Captain’s Ransom | Moutonshoek Stud | |
| Master Archie | Messrs V Harry, S A Hanna & A A Azzie | |
| Stayer of the Year | ||
| Aragosta | Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein | |
| Black Thorn | Klawervlei Stud | |
| Nebraas | Al Adiyaat | |
| Shangani | Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein | |
| Sparkling Water | Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein | |
| Champion Middle Distance | ||
| Astrix | Riverton Stud | |
| Flying Carpet | Riethuiskraal Stud | |
| Kommetdieding | Klawervlei Stud | |
| Jet Dark | Drakenstein Stud | |
| Sparkling Water | Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein | |
| Broodmare of the Year | ||
| Espumanti | Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein | |
| Imvula | Drakenstein Stud | |
| Night Jet | Drakenstein Stud | |
| Peru | Maine Chance Farms | |
| Princess Royal | Maine Chance Farms | |
| Victory Dance | Riverton Stud | |
| Outstanding Breeder | ||
| Drakenstein Stud | ||
| Millstream Farm | ||
| Narrow Creek Stud | ||
| Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein | ||
| Stallion of the Year | ||
| Outstanding New Stallion | ||
| Breeder Of The Year | ||
| Horse Of The Year | ||

Picture: Alan Greeff leads in Grazinginthegrass last Friday (Pauline Herman Photography).
Alan Greeff’s 3000th Career Win
Trainer Alan Greeff saddled his 3000th career winner when Grazingthegrass won the Listed Memorial Mile on the Fairview turf on Friday under S’Manga Khumalo.
Greeff has won the East Cape Championship 15 times and won it eight times in succession from 2013/2014 to 2020/2021, before Gavin Smith wrested the title back last season.
Grazinginthegrass is a five-year-old Philanthropist gelding who races for former trainer Mike de Kock as well as Arun Chadha’s ASSM Syndicate and Noeline Malherbe.
The long-striding individual has thrived in the Eastern Cape.
He left the Highveld as a one-time winner, having his last start up there in April last year, and in the East Cape has had 15 starts for six wins, five seconds, two thirds and one fourth.
Friday was the first time he had run in a black type event.
Drakenstein Stud-bred Grazinginthegrass is well named being by Philanthropist out of Singspiel mare Candy Singer.
“Grazing In The Grass” was a US number one hit in 1968 performed by leading South African jazz musician and apartheid activist Hugh Masekela.


Picture: Mighty Mind winning at Chelmsford yesterday (Supplied).
Dylan Cunha Breaks Through In The U.K.


Picture: The Johan Janse van Vuuren-trained Laurence Wernars-owned Tuscan Winter (What A Winter) storms through to win over 1160m yesterday (JC Photos).
Tuscan Winter Produces Another Incredible Finish


Picture: Bold and Bossy runs down US-41 after dumping her rider and escaping the Ellis Park property in August last year.
Runaway Filly, Fire Survivor Bold And Bossy Makes It To Winner’s Circle
by Paulick Report




Today’s Question
What unique claim to fame in racing do the point-to-pointers Rossa Prince And Mr. Chippendale share?
Picture: A point-to-point race (Telegraph.co.uk).
Vaal Classic Thursday August 11 Fields









Today’s Question Answer
Both Rossa Prince and Mister Chippendale managed to lose a Walkover – the former bolting at the start, the latter’s rider failing to weight in.
BHA Walkover Rules
65. Walk overs
65.1 A race shall be regarded as a walk over if, following the verification of Declaration Sheets in accordance with Rule 23
- 65.1.2 only one horse has been declared a runner, or65.1.3 two horses were declared but one is withdrawn before the start.
65.2 The horse is not required to walk over the entire course but it shall be regarded as the winner only if it is ridden past the Judge’s box.
Point-to-Point races are normally run over a minimum of three miles, but certain races, including some blue riband events (e.g. the 4m Heythrop Men’s Open and the 3¼m Lady Dudley Cup) are longer, and Maiden races for young horses (aged four to seven years) can be run over 2½ miles.
There are 97 point-to-point courses throughout the United Kingdom divided into eleven regions.
Picture: Sam Twiston-Davies gives a victory leap after winning a walkover at Worcester in 2012. It was a particularly controversial walkover because it was engineered by trainers to protest about the low prize money for the race.











