Summerhill Win Leading Breeder At KZN Racing Awards
Summerhill Stud were once again rewarded with Leading Breeder at Gold Circle’s KZN Racing Awards on Friday evening, after winning the National title for the 10th time at the Equus Awards two weeks ago. The Summerhill Team lead by Mick Goss were on hand to receive the award and Mick Goss thanked everyone present for their support over what has been a difficult year for Mick with regards to his health, and fortunately he is in fine health. Summerhill’s Rabada and No Worries featured prominently over the past KZN season amongst many others.
KZN-bred daughter of Trippi bred by Anton and Judy Procter, Dawn Calling, won best performance by a two year old filly. Her owner Mr Dave MacLean was on hand to receive the award along with her trainer Duncan Howells, who took home three awards in total on the evening and dominated the juvenile fillies category with all three being inmates of his stable – including KZN Breeders’ Bruce Le Roux and Tinus Gericke’s Gr2 winning filly, A Woman’s Way and KZN Yearling Sale Million winner, Lunar Rush.
Exit Here, whose dam Summer Angel stands at Rathmor Stud, won an award for Best Performance by a Three Year Old. The chestnut colt is owned in partnership by Alesh Naidoo and Markus Jooste and trained by Charles Laird. Rathmor Stud have also acquired his half-sister, multiple Stake winner Eventual Angel. At one point the colt was unbeaten from five starts including the KZN Guineas Trial Listed and Gr3 Cup Trial. He has had six wins and two places to date, including finishing three lengths off Illuminator in the CTS Million Dollar race.
His half sister by Right Approach, Eventual Angel is a winner of the Gr3 Umzimkhulu Stakes amongst her five victories and four places. She has also finished closely in Gr1s behind the likes of Inara, Zante and Alexis. Summer Angel has produced a foal by Noble Tune in 2015 and she is due to foal to him once again this year, and she has a two year old by Judpot going to the Read To Run Sale later this year.
Ashburton’s trainers dominated the awards with Duncan Howells, Paul Gadsby and Weiho Mawing all achieving multiple Awards. Summerveld-based Dennis Drier was again KZN Champion trainer by number of winners in the province, edging Howells by seven.
Equus Award winners Ingrid and Markus Jooste were also KZN’s leading owners by prizemoney, whilst KZN Breeders Club director and breeder Roy Moodley was the leading KZN-based owner by stakes won. Anthony Delpech was leading jockey and Eric Ngwane leading apprentice.
Paul Lafferty, racehorse trainer, television presenter and stand-up comic was a popular recipient of KZN Personality of the Year.
In a new category voted for by the racing public, Piere Strydom got Ride of the Season for his handling of The Conglomerate in the Vodacom Durban July, winning from 18 draw. Marinaresco was crowned Horse Of The Year.
Congratulations to all concerned and thank you to Gold Circle for an outstanding evening.
The KZN Breeders Awards takes place at Bellwood Stud on 26 November.
