KZN Awards 2012

Keith Russon and Ian Todd of Backworth Stud for Breeding Achievement

KZN Breeders Association held our annual awards on a misty evening at Bellwood Cottages on 17 November to honour the people and Thoroughbreds that have done the industry proud.

It was an evening that was very well-attended by prominent breeders, owners and trainers alike. It also included an event which brought much fun and amusement into the exciting atmosphere – the inaugural running of the ‘Donkey Derby’ which was won by Bradley McHardy of Quest For Success Pre-training.

Koos De Klerk, Chairman of KZN Breeders Club receiving Award for Greenacre – Outstanding Two Year Old Colt

Graeme Hawkins, the COO of Gold Circle, was the Master of Ceremonies for the event and KZN Breeders Association Chairman Koos De Klerk gave both a welcoming and motivating speech regarding the exciting events that have occurred within the ambit of the KZN Breeders of the past year – as well as giving a hint of exciting prospects and plans ahead for next year.

“I want to extend a personal thank you to the board members of KZN Breeders Club and the effort that each of the members put in for the welfare of the club and breeders in KZN,” said Koos de Klerk. “Thank you too to the sponsors of the awards, it is greatly appreciated.

“We have had a number of initiatives that have borne fruit and will in future include the KZN Breeders Golf Day and KZN Breeders Million Mile Race day, KZN Yearling Sales and the R1 million race initiated for Vodacom Durban July day which is part of the initiative of our Triple Million challenge. For a horse that achieve the treble: winning the R1 million race on Vodacom Durban July day, the next year’s Million Mile as a three year old and the following year as a four year old, a R1 million bonus will be paid.

“Moving ahead, we will have another six races for R200 000 next year on the KZN Breeders Race Day [incorporating the Million Mile]. Further details will be announced very soon – all of which is promoting racing and breeding in KZN and we hope to see the results of that. We have already seen the success of the 2012 KZN Yearling Sale. Candiese Marnewick has been appointed as an admin manager. We hope to have her at all sales and to brand KZN horses, to promote KZN horses and to promote the Breeders Premium scheme. We are also looking forward to some serious stallion purchases, starting with the announcement of Crusade.”

St John Gray receiving for Dancewiththedevil – Horse Of The Year

Congratulations must go to the winners which saw Dancewiththedevil crowned KZN Breeders Horse Of The Year for a second consecutive year. Breeder, owner and trainer St John Gray was on hand to recieve numerous awards – as well as for Broodmare Of The Year – Emperor’s Dance who resides at Cathy and Jonathan Martin’s Hadlow Stud for St John Gray.

KZN Breeders Stallion Of The Year went to Kahal, owned by Shadwell Stud and standing at Warwick and Karin Render’s Bush Hill Stud. Kahal was represented with a number of nominees on the evening, in particular he stood out as the sire of every nominee in the category of Outstanding Female Sprinter – won by Mannequin of Summerhill Stud. Bush Hill Stud also took home awards for The Mouseketeer in the category of Outstanding Male Sprinter and on behalf of breeder Dr Ian Heyns, the Bush Hill-stud raised Seal for Outstanding Male Stayer.

Summerhill Stud once again took home the award for Leading Breeder Of The Year and achieved wins in a total of five categories – with Extra Zero, Mannequin and Vodacom Durban July runner-up Smanjemanje.

Keith Russon and Ian Todd of Backworth Stud won the award for Breeding Achievement. Backworth Stud had achieved over the last racing season an impressive 53% runners to winners rati. Backworth’s Variometer, nominee for Outstanding Three Year Old Sprinter Female and Outstanding Three Year Old Filly had gone onto win the Gardenia Listed Handicap the evening before the awards in a very impressive fashion from a strong field of sprinting fillies that included winning Outstanding Female Sprinter winner Mannequin (bred by Summerhill Stud).

Thank you to the judges who play an integral role in the process, the following sponsors listed below for contributing towards a successful evening, and to Stuart and Lola Crawford of Greenhill Farm for providing the beautiful proteas and flowers.