Chris Van Niekerk: Worthy recipient of special achievement award
The 2013 Equus Awards banquet was celebrated in a spirit of great camaraderie. The industry paid tribute to its champions and top achievers and the evening saw many special moments.
There was great anticipation when RA CEO Larry Wainstein stepped on to the stage for the special achievement awards.
The first of the special achievement acknowledgements went to newly crowned Cape trainer Justin Snaith for his terrific performances of 7 winners on a day and his recordbreaking season total of 198.
The trophy was accepted by Justin, as well as his right hand men in brother Jono and father, Chris.
The second special achievement award went to owner Chris van Niekerk for his awesome back to back Vodacom Durban July wins. Van Niekerk won the big race in 2012 with Pomodoro and repeated the rare feat this year with Silvano’s Heavy Metal.
The runaway winner of the Champion Stallion trophy was Maine Chance’s brilliant son of Lomitas, Silvano. The award was made by BSA Chairperson Susan Kalmanson and accepted by John Slade.
Champion broodmare award was also made by Susan Kalmanson went to Akinfeet (the dam of brilliant 3yo of last season, Capetown Noir). It was accepted by BSA CEO Tom Callaghan on behalf of Lammerskraal Stud.
Nobody does it better! Mick Goss of Summerhill – Champion breeder for 9 successive years
Champion breeder trophy was awarded by Susan Kalmanson and went yet again to the champion operation, Summerhill. A lovely excerpt from the Summehill information video was shown and the trophy was accepted by the entire Summerhill team. We take our hats off to Mick Goss and his team. Pure professionalism from A to Z, as is the Summerhill trademark.
It was hardly surprising that Varsfontein stallion Judpot was the recipient of the Outstanding Stallion achievement Award. A proud Susan Kalmanson (who stands the exciting sire on her farm) made the award to the Niarchos family representative Alan Cooper and Varsfontein’s Carl de Vos, who was visibly thrilled.
The Breeder award for International Achievement was handed over by Susan Kalmanson to John Koster and Grant Knowles of Klawevlei for Shea Shea.
Larry Wainstein was on stage again for the media awards. The print section went to David Thistleton of Gold Circle Publishing, while the veteran Jimmy Lithgow was the recipient in the Television category.Lithgow does excellent work and was acknowledged particularly for the horses & rhino programme. The eloquent Lithgow said that he was very proud to follow in the footsteps of his son, Aiden!
Phumelela Executive Clyde Basel then took over with the National Horseracing Authority’s CEO Denzil Pillay for the Apprentice of the Year award when to Nooresh Juglall.
The Champ jockey award went to Piere Strydom, who accepted the R250 000 cheque from Klawervlei and the trophy from Denzil Pillay.
Taxing Year! Piere Strydom banked the jockey championship
Strydom gave a brilliant speech, and said his motivation was largely thanks to the SA Revenue Services, who have apparently been a bit harsh on him.
He also thanked Lubrisyn (he’s getting on a bit) and the 45 trainers he’s won for. He also acknowledged all the winning owners. He went on to mention the efforts of his agent, Beattie and thanked his fiancé, Claudia, for her support.
The Champion trainer award was made to Mike de Kock for the eighth time.
He ended on R16,8 million. The trophy was handed over by Denzil Pillay and accepted by Mike’s son Matthew, who delivered a great speech.
The young man asked the audience to remember the passing of Abram Mahkubo, before thanking his entire team, grooms, work riders, transporters, owners and the support of Mary Slack. A very accomplished speech, all round!
William Ntsele was on stage to present Owner of the Year, which again went to Markus and Ingrid Jooste.
The Horse of the Year was awarded for the second year running to Var’s brilliant son, Variety Club.
It was accepted by Anton Marcus, Derek Brugman , Anton Shepherd and trainer Joey Ramsden.
A great evening amongst champions and opponents!
The Equus Honour Roll:
International Achievement Award: Shea Shea
Champion 2 year colt (distance immaterial): Kochka
Champion 2 year filly (distance immaterial): Along Came Polly
Champion 3year old colt (distance immaterial): Vercingetorix
Champion 3 year filly (distance immaterial): Cherry On The Top
Champion older male (distance immaterial): Variety Club
Champion older filly / mare (distance immaterial): Beach Beauty
Champion sprinter (1000-1200; age/gender immaterial): What a Winter
Champion Miler (1400-1600; age/gender immaterial): Variety Club
Champion middle distance horse (1400-2200; age/gender immaterial): Heavy Metal
Champion stayer (2400 and up; age/gender immaterial): Jeppe’s Reef
SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS: Chris van Niekerk, Snaith Racing Stables
CHAMPION STALLION: Silvano – Maine Chance Farms
CHAMPION BROODMARE: Akinfeet – Lammerskraal Stud
CHAMPION BREEDER: Summerhill Stud
OUTSTANDING STALLION ACHIEVEMENT: Judpot – Varsfontein Stud
BREEDER AWARD – EXCEPTIONAL INTERNATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT: Shea Shea – Klawervlei
MEDIA AWARDS: Print – David Thiselton; Television – Jimmy Lithgow
APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR: Nooresh Juglall
CHAMPION JOCKEY: Piere Strydom
CHAMPION TRAINER: Mike de Kock
OWNER OF THE YEAR: Ingrid and Markus Jooste
HORSE OF THE YEAR: Variety Club
