Eight On Eighteen is resting back in Cape Town and is pictured enjoying himself in a paddock at Futura Park. (Picture Supplied).
Justin Snaith landed the National Trainers Championship for the sixth time and for the third time in succession and his 2024/2025 earnings of R31,013,601 (excludes restricted stakes) were not far behind Sean Tarry’s record return of R32,293,050 (ecluded restricted stakes).
Snaith is threatening to become as dominant in this championship as he is in the Cape Championship, which he won this season for the 13th time in succession.
His nationwide earnings were R14,811,005 clear of the R16,202,596 earnings of second-placed Alan Greeff and are R15,603,907 clear of the R15,409,694 earnings of third-placed Sean Tarry.
Snaith scored 170 wins nationwide, which is identical to the number of wins accumulated by Alan Greeff.
Snaith’s first national championship in 2011/2012 actually came one season before his first Cape championship as Mike Bass and Joey Ramsden were powerful forces in the Cape in the first decade of this millenium and beyond.
However, he has not relinquished his grip on the Cape Championship since landing it for the first time in 2012/2013.
This season his earnings in the Cape were R23,187,869, well clear of Candice Bass-Robinson and Vaughan Marshall, who were in second and third place respectively with earnings of R10,457,600 and R10,127,494.
Meanwhile, the likely Equus Horse Of The Year Eight on Eighteen is resting, but plenty of research has been done by Snaith and connections in to planning his future.
Jonathan Snaith said that after a thorough review of the travel requirements for competing in Dubai, Saudi Arabia and other countries a local campaign was being favoured for the time being.
He said, “While a final decision has yet to be made by his connections, it’s more probable that Eight On Eighteen will remain in South Africa for the upcoming season, with the 2026 L’Ormarins King’s Plate and WSB Cape Met as potential targets, before considering an overseas campaign. He’s a lightly raced colt with immense potential, and all plans will be made with his best interests in mind – both as a racehorse and a future stallion.”
