The Highveld Racing awards were announced at a glittering ceremony at The Venue Melrose Arch in the vibrant and exclusive Melrose Arch precinct in Johannesburg last night.
There were no surprises and the Wilgerbosdrift SA Triple Tiara heroine Rain In Holland was named Highveld Horse Of The Season.
The Sean Tarry-trained Drakenstein Stud homebred followed three pipe-opening third place finishes by winning the Grade 2 Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas, the Grade 1 Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Classic (1800m) and the Grade 2 Wilgerbosdrift SA Oaks to become the fifth horse to land the SA Triple Tiara.
She followed that by winning the Grade 2 Gerald Rosenberg Stakes over 2000m despite carrying a 2kg penalty.
The twice Grade 1-winner was Equus Champion Two-year-old filly last year and currently leads the Equus Awards logs in both the Three-year-old filly and Horse Of The Year categories.
Leading trainer Paul Peter walked away with the most silverware on the night.
He won awards with two-year-old filly Maharanee (Flower Alley), two awards with three-year-old colt Master Archie (Rafeef), and an award apiece with MK’s Pride (Willow Magic) and Astrix (Vercingetorix).
He was also officially named the Highveld’s Champion Trainer.
Laurence Wernars deservedly received a Special award. He has been a stalwart owner for decades and remains one of the biggest owners in the country.
Wernars also won the two-year-old male award with his part-owned colt Karangetang.
These are the list of awards:
Champion 2 year old filly: Maharanee
Owner: Mr MK Nkale & Hyperpaint Syndicate (Nom: Mr JT Peter)
Trainer: Paul Peter; Breeder: Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein
Champion 2 year old colt/gelding: Karangetang
Owner: Messrs JF & LMF Wernars, Varun Kewal, W Pirzl & Mr LW & Mrs NJ
Evered-Hall
Trainer: Johan Janse van Vuuren; Breeder: Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein
Champion 3 year old filly: Rain in Holland
Owner: Drakenstein Stud (Nom: Mrs GA Rupert)
Trainer: Sean Tarry; Breeder: Drakenstein Stud (Nom: Mrs GA Rupert)
Champion 3 year old colt/gelding: Master Archie
Owner: Messrs Vasan Harry & SA Hanna
Trainer: Paul Peter; Breeder: Messrs V Harry, SA Hanna & AA Azzie
Champion Older Horse: MK’s Pride
Owner: Mr MK Nkale
Trainer: Paul Peter; Breeder: Summerhill Stud (Pty) Ltd
Champion Sprinter: Master Archie
Owner: Messrs Vasan Harry & SA Hanna
Trainer: Paul Peter; Breeder: Messrs V Harry, SA Hanna & AA Azzie
Champion Middle Distance Horse: Astrix
Owner: Mr GD Tooch & Hyperpaint Syndicate (Nom: Mr JT Peter)
Trainer: Paul Peter; Breeder: Riverton Stud
Champion Stayer: Nebraas
Owner: Al Adiyaat South Africa (Pty) Ltd
Trainer: Sean Tarry; Breeder: Al Adiyaat (Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum.
Special Award: Laurence Wernars
Work Rider of the Season: Sam Mosia
Champion Apprentice Jockey: Jeffrey Syster
Champion Breeder: Wilgerbosdrift (Pty) Limited and Mauritzfontein
Champion Jockey: Warren Kennedy
Champion Trainer: Paul Peter
Champion Owner: Drakenstein Stud (Nom: Mrs GA Rupert)
Horse of the Season: Rain in Holland
Picture Montage: JC Photos
