The South African version of the Diadem Stakes (there is race with the same name run at Ascot in England every year) has a rich history of well over 50 years.
It has been won by such great horses as Peter Beware (twice), Over The Air, Wainui, Flaming Rock (twice), Flobayou (three times), Nhlavini (three times) and What A Winter (twice).
The Diadem is always a fascinating contest as it throws together some of the country’s best sprinters with some of the best classic horses in the land. The former often use it as a stepping stone towards the Grade 1 Cape Flying Championship and the latter use it as a preparation event for such races as the Grade 1 L’Ormarin’s Queen’s Plate or the Grade 1 Maine Chance Paddock Stakes.
Among the established sprinters in this year’s entry list are Grade 1 winners Captain of All, Fly By Night and Copper Parade as well as the like of Tevez, Daring Dave and Happy Forever.
The exciting three-year-old Grade 2-winning speedsters Trip to Heaven and Harry Lime, as well as the unexposed four-year-old Silicone Valley, are also notable entries.
The classic horses on the entry list include the top class Grade 1 winner Futura, the brilliant Grade 2-winning mare Hammie’s Hooker and one of her chief rivals Priceless Jewel, as well as the like of Grade 2 winners De Kock and Maybe Yes, the Green Pont Stakes runner up Ashton Park and the rapidly improving Sail South.
Watching top class thoroughbreds storming across the turf under the azure skies of a Cape Town summer can hardly be beaten and Kenilworth Racecourse is the place to be on Saturday 27 December.
Furthermore, the caterers will be serving a buffet lunch in the Somerset Room on the day. For bookings contact Micaela (021) 700 1600.
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