The smashing 2021 SA Triple Tiara queen War Of Athena was a popular choice as the KZN Breeders Horse Of The Year for the 2020/21 season at a festive function on Friday evening at the famous landmark venue of the Nottingham Road Hotel in the KZN Midlands.
Reflecting back on a tough period for the industry at large, the 2020/21 season was a very successful one for the KZN Breeders.
The three Gr1 winners bred in the holiday province, including Act Of War offspring War Of Athena and Battle Force, as well as Capetown Noir daughter Under Your Spell – all three bred by Mick Goss of Summerhill Stud – won awards on the evening.
Champion Middle Distance Female! Summerhill Equestrian’s Siyabonga Mlaba, Hollywoodbets Anthony Delpech and Chantelle McCabe of Camargue Stud (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
War Of Athena, already an Equus Award winner and a Gauteng Horse Of The Season, lifted three awards on the evening, in a proud moment for her owners Roy Wentzel and his wife, Dr Rose Waterman-Wentzel, who also own the newly-crowned Champion Male Sprinter, Battle Force.
The Anita Akal award was presented to Far End Farm’s Jane Thomas, an industry pre-training veteran known for giving many good horses the foundation they deserve.
Jane once told the Sporting Post that good horses and good people are the cornerstone of her success, and she has certainly proven herself a leader in her sector.
Lifetime Membership was granted to Vera Sutherland, Fili Bowles, Judy Procter, and New Zealand-based Craig and Tammy Ramsay, who were represented by Dr Allan Bechard.
Vera Sutherland, Fili Bowles, Judy Procter, and Dr Allan Bechard obo Craig and Tammy Ramsay (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
KZN Breeders Chairperson Cathy Martin said that she felt that the tide was turning for the better in the breeding shed and that there was much to be positive about.
“Recent sales with stronger prices have seen the KZN thoroughbred being well received and our breeders doing well in the sales ring,” she added, before welcoming the Camargue Stud back.
She concluded by thanking her fellow Directors for their support during the past year, and all those who helped organise the awards function.
“I must in particular thank Mike and Tanya McHardy, and Candiese Lenferna and her husband Warren, who gave so generously of his time, to be our MC this evening. I must extend a word of thanks to the sponsors, without whom the evening and celebration of the KZN-bred thoroughbred would not have been possible. Our congratulations to all the nominees and to the winners!”
The dancing and good vibes went on until late and a word of credit must go to hardworking KZN Breeders Secretary Candiese Lenferna, and her equally energetic hubby Warren Lenferna, who handled the MC duties on the evening with aplomb and polish.
All the winners:
CHAMPION 2YO COLT SPONSORED BY THE EQUINE GROUP
- AJ’s Captain – Breeder: Tinus Gericke
CHAMPION 2YO FILLY SPONSORED BY ODDS ON COLOURS
- Under Your Spell – Breeder: Summerhill Stud
CHAMPION 3YO COLT / GELDING SPONSORED BY EQUIFEEDS
- Mk’s Pride – Breeder: Summerhill Stud
CHAMPION 3YO FILLY SPONSORED BY GRACE STABLES
- War Of Athena – Breeder: Summerhill Stud
CHAMPION OLDER MALE SPONSORED BY EPOL
- Nexus – Breeder: Rathmor Stud
CHAMPION OLDER FEMALE SPONSORED BY GOLD CIRCLE
- Running Brave – Breeder: Summerhlll Stud
CHAMPION SPRINTER MALE SPONSORED BY CHOICE CARRIERS
- Battle Force – Breeder: Summerhill Stud
CHAMPION SPRINTER FEMALE SPONSORED BY TSA NEWS
- Winter Smoke – Breeder: Richard Fitzgerald
CHAMPION MIDDLE DISTANCE MALE SPONSORED BY BLUE SKY THOROUGHBREDS
- Nexus – Breeder: Rathmor Stud
CHAMPION MIDDLE DISTANCE FEMALE SPONSORED BY HOLLYWOODBETS
- War Of Athena – Breeder: Summerhill Stud
CHAMPION STAYER SPONSORED BY HIGH EAGLE STUD
- Jaeger Moon – Breeder: Summerhill Stud
STALLION OF THE YEAR SPONSORED BY TBA
- Act Of War – Breeder: Summerhill Equestrian
BROODMARE OF THE YEAR SPONSORED BY GOLD CIRCLE
- Qapela – Breeder: Summerhill Stud
BREEDING ACHIEVEMENT SPONSORED BY SUMMERHILL EQUESTRIAN
- Summerhill Stud
ANITA AKAL AWARD
- Jane Thomas
HORSE OF THE YEAR SPONSORED BY GOLD CIRCLE
- War Of Athena – Breeder: Summerhill Stud
