KZN Breeders Awards 2019 – Results!
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It was the Gr1 winning chestnut daughter of Byword who proved the star of the show, with Camphoratus winning several awards including Champion Middle Distance Female, Champion Older Female and KZN Breeders Horse Of The Year.
Her dam, imported Horse Chestnut mare Wild Camphor, was crowned Broodmare Of The Year. The latter only produced two foals at stud – the first a winner and the second and last was Camphoratus, who interestingly only sold for R50 000 at the KZN Yearling Sale.
Her breeders, Rob and Michele Pickering who have since relocated to the Eastern Cape, retained a share in her and Robbie Hill has achieved great success – winning not only the Gr1 Empress Club Stakes, but the Gr3 Flamboyant and placing second to her nemesis, Running Brave, in the Gr2 Gold Bracelet. Running Brave took home the Champion 3YO Filly award, and ran a close second to Camphoratus in the Gr1 Empress Club Stakes.
Wave, a Scott Bros-bred son of Mogok who placed in a Gr1 at Scottsville, interestingly was purchased off the KZN Yearling Sale for R100 000 using vouchers won from the 2018 KZN Breeders Golf Day by the Van Zyls!
Another stud to feature prominently was that of Graystone Stud, owned by St John Gray who performs an outstanding achievement of breeding, owning and training for himself – and in most cases, the horses bred are by / out of parents bred, trained and owned by St John himself – including Call To Combat.
Ronnie’s Candy was a numerous nominee and will definitely be in the running for an award next year, but Dawn Assault cleaned up taking Champion Older Male and Champion Middle Distance Male. St John Gray was rewarded with Breeders Achievement, and MC Warren Lenferna read out his staggering stats. Cathy and Jonathan Martin represented Graystone – they look after St John’s breeding operation within theirs at their farm in Mooi River, Hadlow Stud.
St John’s stats are incredible – according to Racebook.co.za, he is currently on 999 wins, R79,286,907 in lifetime stakes earned with 2 914 places. Even more impressive is that St John has raced and bred most of his horses parents as well so to speak – it truly is a massive achievement.
The Late Crusade captured KZN Breeders Stallion Of The Year again (Sponsored by the TBA), and on Sunday his diminutive daughter Whizz Of Odds gave Gavin Van Zyl a large smile, after winning both of her races in a row. She is bred by Rob Knupper of the Missing U Syndicate.
Other awards for special recognition went to two very well deserving recipients – Dr Allen Bechard received the Anita Akal Industry Award for his years of servicing the breeding industry in KZN, and Bruce Le Roux of Spring Valley Stud was emotional when he heard he was receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award and received a full standing ovation from his peers and colleagues. Warwick Render, his friend and colleague, read a moving speech on the life of Bruce Le Roux (who amongst his Gr1 winners bred, was Vodacom Durban July winner Dunford) and his achievements, hardly leaving a dry eye in the room.
Rathmor Stud enjoyed a superb day – their filly Mississippi Burning flew the flag to win the Gr1 Cape Fillies Guineas, and Nexus took home Champion 3YO Colt. The full brother to Gr1 winner Lady In Black will be aimed at the Cape features, the Snaith Racing Stable has reported on their social media.
Champion Breeders once again went to Summerhill Stud, who also took home two awards – one for Champion Sprinter Male – Africa Rising, and the other for Running Brave (Brave Tin Soldier). They also accepted the award for Stallion Prospect, multiple Black Type filly Brandina shot her sire Capetown Noir into the highlights for the last season.
All the awards named below – thank you to our valued sponsors for your generosity!
