2014 L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate
The 153rd renewal of the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate at Kenilworth on Saturday was a magnificent celebration of blue and white, where the elegant, hip and trendy of the South African social scene stepped out in a sophisticated show of fun and fashion.
Some of the revellers, who are naturally preoccupied with fashion and more serious fun than horseracing and betting, may even have since read somewhere that a brilliant son of Western Winter won the big race for a thrilled lady in red. Phumelela’s Executive Director Vee Moodley confirmed that the event proved a great day at the tills with Saftote Betting on the Kenilworth race meeting up from R 19.6 m(2013) to R21,8m(2014), an increase of 11.13%.
Capetown Noir’s Jockey Karl Neisius with owner Lady Laidlaw (in the red dress)
L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate winning trainer Dean Kannemeyer has been around the big race block a good few times in his four decades around top racehorses, and the Milnerton conditioner proved that one never gets used to Gr1 success. He was understandably emotional as he welcomed Khaya Stables’ representative Lady Christine Laidlaw into the new front of stand winner’s enclosure, as Capetown Noir and his smiling veteran jockey Karl Neisius came back to earth after a mission professionally executed.
Neisius, who bared his soul with a rare flash of emotion as he saluted at the winning post, conceded in the heat of the post race celebrations that it was champions like Capetown Noir that made getting out of bed six days of the week at sparrow, just that much more bearable. Springboks Chester Williams and Rob Louw were just two of a host of sporting heroes on course, while Rob’s daughter Roxy turned heads, as she always does.
Former Miss South Africa Cindy Nel was the winner of the best dressed woman competition. Actor and comedian Siv Ngesi, apparently one of GQ’s top ten best dressed men, won the inaugural best dressed man contest. Dressed top to toe in C Squared, he said he was thrilled as he had finally made his ‘Mom very happy’ as she would be over the moon to hear that he was finally dressing well.
For the first time ever, this year The L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate featured several internationally acclaimed races; the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate Oak Tree Stakes and Paddock Stakes, the only South African races which allow their winners entry into the elite Breeders’ Cup Mile; as well as England’s revered race, the Glorious Goodwood, in Cape Town to run the Glorious Goodwood Peninsula Stakes Grade 2 on the day’s stellar card.
Beach Beauty’s winning team
“The L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate 2014 exceeded expectations – from the horses to the guests to the entertainment. In excess of 6 000 people attended and on-course betting turnover was up 25% from last year. It was a magnificent event that reminded all present of why LQP is considered the Cape’s most prestigious horse racing event,” says The L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate 2014 Coordinator, Katherine Gray.
As one of the most popular events on Cape Town’s summer social calendar, guests in attendance included the Earl and Countess of March, the Earl and Countess of Harrington, Her Majesty’s Representative & Chairman of Ascot Race-course Mr Johnny Weatherly, mining mogul Patrice Motsepe, international musician Mike Rutherford and former F1 team owner Eddie Jordan.
Off-track The L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate was the quintessence of elegance with gentlemen and ladies in blue & white finery enjoying the horseracing action as well as the various culinary and hospitality offerings at the Style Lounge, Drakenstein Luncheon, Jockey Club and the legendary Stud Club.
Hodges, Daniel Cameron, Steve Grylls, Sebastian Davies & Nicki Austin
Celebrity judges, Bee Diamondhead (Marie Claire SA Junior Fashion Editor), Bronwyn Day (Glamour SA Fashion Editor), Malcolm KLûk and Christiaan Gabriel du Toit (KLûK CGDT founders and designers), and Tammy Tinker (Merchants on Long Creative Director) presided over the traditional Best Dressed Lady and Best Hat competitions, in addition to the first ever Best Dressed Man contest. This year’s coveted accolades went to model/ TV presenter Cindy Nell-Roberts, fashion blogger Kim Gray and actor/ comedian Siv Ngesi respectively.
Other celebrities attending The L’Ormarins Queens Plate included Tracy McGregor, Lyndall Jarvis, surfing champ Jordy Smith, Olympic swimmer Ryk Neethling, Rob Louw, Liezel van der Westhuizen and Janez Vermeiren, all who mingled in style in the legendary Stud Club before joining fellow race goers on the dance floor after the race for an exhilarating electronic dance party led by popular local DJs Fresh and Euphonik and glamorous UK queen of dance, DJ Lora.
