2015 Equus Awards: KZN-Breds Futura And Wild One Take Home Honours

2015 Equus Awards: KZN-Breds Futura And Wild One Take Home Honours

An outstanding evening took place last night at Emperors Palace Convention Centre which saw the 2015 Equus Awards being held.

It was a proud evening for KZN as recent Gr1 eLan Gold Cup winner Wild One took home the Equus Champion Stayer Award for breeders Robin and Joyce Scott of Scott Bros, whilst Futura, born at Yellow Star Stud for breeders Guy Murdoch and Mike Jolly, took home three Equus Awards – Champion Older Male, Champion Middle Distance Horse and the supreme achievement of Equus Horse Of The Year.

John Freeman stated in his acceptance speech that Futura had created a record for Dynasty – Dynasty himself being a former Horse Of The Year, and Dynasty now making it the first for any stallion in South Africa to have three sons follow in his footsteps – this includes Bush Hill Stud resident sire Irish Flame.

Wild One, by Mogok out of Endangered Species by Saphieha, made a fantastic come back almost a year later and has had a highly consistent racing season in Group company leading up to his Gold Cup win, in the care of trainer Mike De Kock for owner Sean Phillips.

Wild One has a 3-parts sister available at the National Two Year Old Sale from the Scott Bros draft.

Born at Yellow Star Stud for breeders Guy Murdoch and Mike Jolly, Futura has had a superb season for his winning connections – Jack Mitchell, John Freeman and Drakenstein Stud and trainer Justin Snaith – taking home an incredible three Gr1’s over the past season including the Gr1 Queen’s Plate, J&B Met and more recently the Champions Cup.

There is much to look forward to from the grandson of Badger’s Drift, who is currently resting at Drakenstein and a big congratulations to all the winning connections.

The full results from the evening below:

CHAMPION 2YO COLT (distance immaterial)
Seventh Plain

CHAMPION 2YO FILLY (distance immaterial)
Entisaar (AUS)

CHAMPION 3YO COLT (distance immaterial)
French Navy

CHAMPION 3YO FILLY (distance immaterial)
Alboran Sea (AUS)

CHAMPION OLDER MALE (distance immaterial)
Futura

CHAMPION OLDER FILLY/MARE (distance immaterial)
Hammie’s Hooker

CHAMPION SPRINTER (1000-1200; age/gender immaterial)
Captain Of All

CHAMPION MILER (1400-1600; age/gender immaterial)
Legislate

CHAMPION MIDDLE DISTANCE HORSE (1800-2200; age/gender immaterial)
Futura

CHAMPION STAYER (2400m upwards; age/gender immaterial)
Wild One

SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Piere Strydom

CHAMPION STALLION
Captain Al

CHAMPION BROODMARE
Si Senorita

CHAMPION BREEDER
Klawervlei Stud

OUTSTANDING STALLION ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Dynasty

OUTSTANDING BREEDER AWARD
Highlands Farm Stud

MEDIA AWARDS
Print – Michael Clower

Television – Kevin Harris

APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR
Craig Zackey

CHAMPION JOCKEY
Gavin Lerena

CHAMPION TRAINER
Sean Tarry

OWNER OF THE YEAR
Mrs I & Mr M J Jooste

HORSE OF THE YEAR
Futura