2023 HIGHVELD FEATURE SEASON AWARDS - WINNERS

2023 HIGHVELD FEATURE SEASON AWARDS - WINNERS

Champion two-year-old filly
Nominee: Mrs Geriatrix
Winner: Mrs Geriatrix

Mrs Geriatrix, a 2 yo bay filly by Vercingetorix out of Velvet Glove (Kahal) is unbeaten in her three career starts to date, including the Listed Ruffian Stakes and the WSB Gr2 SA Fillies Nursery. Bred by Clifton Stud, Mrs Geriatrix is owned by The Magical Lady Syndicate (Nom: Natalie Turner) and trained by Sean Tarry.

Champion two-year-old colt/gelding
Nominee: Lucky Lad
Winner: Lucky Lad

Lucky Lad, 2yo bay colt by Gimmethegreenlight out of Imperial State (Caesour) is unbeaten in three career starts to date, including the Gr3 Protea Stakes and the Gr2 WSB SA Nursery. Bred by Varsfontein Stud, Lucky Lad is owned by Mr A R & Mrs A B L Beck and trained by Sean Tarry.

Champion three-year-old filly
Nominees: Bless My Stars, Lady Of Power, None Other
Winner: Bless My Stars

2023 Wilgerbosdrift Gr1 SA Fillies Classic winner Bless My Stars is a 3yo bay filly by Gimmethegreenlight out of Star Express (Silvano). Bred by Varsfontein Stud, she is owned by Kestorm Investments (Nom: Mr Kenneth Pillay) and trained by Sean Tarry.

Champion three-year-old colt/gelding
Nominees: Anfields Rocket, Billy Bowlegs, Eye Of The Prophet, Royal Victory, Son Of Raj, Union Square
Winner: Anfields Rocket

2023 World Sports Betting Gr1 SA Classic is a 3yo ch g by Coup De Grace – Milla’s Rocket (Galileo). Bred by Klawervlei Stud, Anfields Rocket is owned by the Hollywood Syndicate (Nom: Mr A Delpech) and trained by Grant Maroun.

Champion older filly/mare
Nominees: Desert Miracle, Princess Calla, Rain In Holland
Winner: Desert Miracle

2023 HSH Princess Charlene Gr1 Empress Club Stakes winner Desert Miracle is a 4yo bay filly by Dynasty out of Welwitschia (Oasis Dream). Bred by Wilgerbosdrift & Maurtizfontein, Desert Miracle is owned by Wilgerbosdrift (Pty) Ltd (Nom: Mrs M Slack) and trained by Mike de Kock.

Champion older horse
Nominees: Isivunguvungu, Puerto Manzano, Trip Of Fortune
Winner: Puerto Manzano

Dual Gr1 winning Puerto Manzano (ARG) is a 5yo bay gelding by Seek Again – Posera (Orpen). Bred by Haras Carampangue, Puerto Manzano (ARG) is owned by Messrs J F & L M F Wernars & Mrs T J Wernars and trained by Johan Janse van Vuuren.

Champion sprinter
Nominees: Isivunguvungu, Princess Calla
Winner: Isivunguvungu

2023 Gr1 Jonsson Workwear Computaform Sprint winner Isivunguvungu is a 4yo b.c. by What A Winter out of Miss Tweedy (Tiger Ridge). Bred by Narrow Creek Stud, Isivunguvungu is owned by the Hollywood Syndicate (Nom: Mr A Delpech) and trained by Peter Muscutt.

Champion Middle Distance Horse
Nominees: Anfields Rocket, Bless My Stars, Desert Miracle, Puerto Manzano, Trip Of Fortune
Winner: Puerto Manzano

Dual Gr1 winning Puerto Manzano (ARG) is a 5yo bay gelding by Seek Again – Posera (Orpen). Bred by Haras Carampangue, Puerto Manzano (ARG) is owned by Messrs J F & L M F Wernars & Mrs T J Wernars and trained by Johan Janse van Vuuren.

Champion Stayer
Nominees: Future Pearl, Nebraas, Arumugam, Son Of Raj
Winner: Son Of Raj

2023 World Sports Betting Gr1 SA Derby winner Son Of Raj is a 3yo bay gelding by Duke Of Marmalade out of Freudiana (Black Minnaloushe). Bred and owned by Mr Steven Chetty, Son Of Raj is trained by Weiho Marwing.

Champion Work Rider
Winner: Sam Mosia

An ultra-consistent and long-standing member of our work rider ranks, Sam Mosia is our Highveld Champion Work Rider for the second year in succession.

Champion Apprentice
Winner: Philasande Mxoli

Philasande Mxoli joined the SA Jockey Academy in 2019, clocking his first win aboard Manaftermidnight at Flamingo Park on 20 January 2020. He has formed successful associations with a number of Highveld strings and his successes this season include the Gr3 Victory Moon Stakes, Gr3 Magnolia Handicap, Gr3 Sycamore Sprint and Listed Spook Express Stakes.

Champion Breeder of the Season
Winner: Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein

Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein graduates continue to go from strength to strength. Highlights of their Highveld Feature Season winners include Desert Miracle (Gr1 Empress Club Stakes), None Other (Gr2 SA Oaks), Union Square (Gr2 Dingaans), Clafoutis (Gr2 Acacia Stakes) and Marigold Hotel (Gr3 Poinsettia Stakes)

Champion Owner of the season
Winner: Drakenstein Stud

Drakenstein Stud (Nom: Mrs G A Rupert)’s blue and white silks continue to grace our racetracks and our winners’ enclosures. Highlights of their Highveld Feature Season campaign include Trip Of Fortune (Gr1 HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes), Rain In Holland (Gr2 Colorado King Stakes) and Sheela (Listed Golden Loom Handicap).

Champion Jockey of the season
Winner: Richard Fourie

Currently occupying second spot on the national jockey log with a 21.9% win strike rate, Richard Fourie is enjoying a vintage season with Highveld feature season successes including the Gr1 Computaform Sprint (Isivunguvungu), Gr2 Senor Santa St (Princess Calla), Gr2 SA Nursery (Lucky Lad) and Gr2 SA Fillies Nursery (Mrs Geriatrix).

Champion Trainer of the season
Winner: Sean Tarry

Five-time national champion trainer Sean Tarry currently occupies second place on the national trainers log with a 16% win strike rate and recently celebrated a milestone 2500th career win. His Highveld feature season successes include the Wilgerbosdrift Gr1 SA Fillies Classic (Bless My Stars), Gr2 Senor Santa Stakes (Princess Calla), Gr2 Colorado King Stakes (Rain In Holland), Gr2 SA Nursery (Lucky Lad), Gr2 SA Fillies Nursery (Mrs Geriatrix) and Gr2 Hawaii Stakes (Under Your Spell).

Highveld Horse Of The Season
Winner: Puerto Manzano

Dual Gr1 winning Puerto Manzano (ARG) is a 5yo bay gelding by Seek Again – Posera (Orpen). Bred by Haras Carampangue, Puerto Manzano (ARG) is owned by Messrs J F & L M F Wernars & Mrs T J Wernars and trained by Johan Janse van Vuuren.

Well done to all the winners 🏆 👏