2016 Gr1 Queen’s Plate (photo: hamishNIVENPhotography)
I think I can say with confidence that the 2016 L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate was one of the best editions of the race in recent memory. As I’ve been ticked off for not giving sponsors enough love, let me say straight off the bat that L’Ormarins are wonderful sponsors. Not only do they have an understanding and appreciation of the event that they have attached their name to, but they handle it in a respectful and gracious manner. Better still, they attract other sponsors who do the same. Rather than taking over the race, as could so easily be the case, they have taken care to grow the day as a whole and it has –rightly – become one of the ‘must do’ events on the Cape Town social calendar.
2016 Queen’s Plate (photo: hamishNIVENPhotography)
2016 marked the 10th anniversary of the L’Ormarins’ involvement with the Queen’s Plate. I’ve been lucky enough to be around for most of it and while there are always teething problems and growing pains with any new venture, the LQP team always had a big picture in mind and have stuck resolutely to their guns, getting bigger, better and more polished each and every time. I hate marketing jargon, but there is simply no other way of saying it than they have improved year on year and have succeeded in turning the Queen’s Plate into more than a race day – it has graduated into a bona fide racing experience. So much so, that it is has become celebrated world-wide and is acknowledged as one of the best race days in the world.
Dress code
2016 Queen’s Plate (photo: hamishNIVENPhotography)
The day has become synonymous with the Drakenstein blue and white and the dress code lends itself exceptionally well to Cape Town’s laid-back boho-chic. It’s easy for the guys and gives the girls plenty of scope to have fun. For those agonising about not having the perfect outfit, you can dress smart, dress up, dress down or anything inbetween and still feel entirely at home and part of it all. It’s quite a feat and something the Queen’s Plate pulls off beautifully, which is part of its easy charm.
The experience
2016 Queen’s Plate (photo: hamishNIVENPhotography)
Somehow there was more of a buzz than usual around this year’s event. It was in the papers, on the radio and wherever you went, the energy and anticipation were palpable and people were unavailable on Saturday because they were ‘going to the Queen’s Plate, darling’. It was wonderful and unlike a lot of things that don’t always live up to the hype, the excitement and sense of fun carried through to the day itself.
Best of all, the racing came through too, with one of the most exhilarating cards for many a year. It may sound a bit cheesy, but I’d really like to thank everyone who nominated and ran their horses on Saturday. There was a formidable line-up of horseflesh on offer and it would have taken guts and resolution to take them on, but it provided a feast for everyone who attended. Thanks to all the visiting trainers and jockeys, who travelled so far to take their place in the starting line-up. Thanks also to all the staff who made it happen and everyone who attended for entering into the spirit so thoroughly and providing such a perfect counterfoil to a glorious day’s racing.
Superb organisation
I’m told that tickets were sold out and confess that I was dreading a bun fight, but I needn’t have worried. The parking worked (yay!) and there was none of the blood-pressure-challenging Met day melee. On course, the hospitality tents were sensibly positioned and everything was so spaciously laid out that there was room for everyone. The folks manning the gates across the chute deserve a medal as it seemed to work exceptionally well this year and the public flowed around the course with ease. Even the predicted South Easter seemed to bite its tongue and didn’t lash us quite as badly as it could have.
As always, there were a few challenges and this year kicked off with fireworks – literally – as a small fire caused Wetton Road to be closed while fire crews got it under control. A rickety blue gum branch above the picnic area also threatened to put a spanner in the works, but without missing a beat, the team efficiently cordoned off the area and redirected foot traffic and with the layout so skilfully done, I dare say most people didn’t even notice.
Good vibes
2016 Queen’s Plate (photo: hamishNIVENPhotography)
Everyone seemed in a good mood and there were smiles and waves and good natured banter all across the course. Although long term sponsors are rare birds nowadays, one starts to get a feel for the ones that we do have as each puts a very distinctive stamp on their day. The LQP folks have formed a definite MO over the years and arriving on course for the Queen’s Plate has become like visiting an old friend – there are always enough familiar touches to make you feel at home, but as special friends always make an effort, you know there will be quirky new additions to look forward to, to make each day memorable. The carousel was a particularly lovely (and popular!) touch this year as was the swing seat under the blossoms. Even the Kenilworth building got a make-over with thousands of bunches of flowers, photographic displays and tables, chairs and cushions scattered invitingly across the course and tempting one to linger and just soak it all in.
Cape Town’s cosmo’s love a chance to strut their stuff and while there were plenty of folks taking the couture (or lack of it) seriously, overall the attire was elegant and guests easily entered into the spirit of the day and behaved accordingly. It made for a grown up day without the starched collars and itchy cuffs and Garrick Burg probably put it best on the ABC, saying it was “Eurocentric racing with South African weather”. The best of both worlds!
Paparazzi were pleasantly and relatively unobtrusively out in force in the stud club and hospitality areas and while I’m a bit rubbish at celeb spotting, there were plenty of them (so I’m told !). My version of celebs are usually found in the parade ring and from that perspective the day was a thorough spoil.
Favourites
All the usual favourites were there, but big race days always bring a few extra faces to the track. With the Queens’ Plate being a stallion-maker and the Paddock being such an important race for, well the paddock, there is always interest from the breeding ranks and one can guarantee a few extra friends and familiar faces under the Kenilworth oaks. It was a treat to bump into Southford Stud’s David Southey, accompanied by his lovely son-in law, and get news of the goings on in the Karoo. David tells me that Lateral has put the most beautiful heads on his Karoo crop, which will be something to look forward to at forthcoming sales.
There were visiting trainers and grooms aplenty in the loading and saddling areas providing something of a holiday atmosphere and Howling Wind, looking dashing with his smart showing attire attracted his usual share of admirers as he prepped for his big moment, to lead the field out on parade.
2016 Gr1 Paddock Stakes winner Smart Call (photo: hamishNIVENPhotography)
Jessica Slack beamed from ear to ear after the very smart win by Smart Call in the Paddock Stakes and with a ‘win and you’re in’ invite to the Breeders’ Cup, there will be plenty for SA race fans to look forward to, come November. It was also lovely to have Alec Laird lead in a winner in Cape Town, which leads me on to another unsung hero of the day in Eric Sands. Alec was kind enough to make mention of Eric in his acceptance speech, but it’s worth a mention that no less than Alec Laird, Duncan Howells and Sean Tarry all chose to base themselves with Eric during their Cape stay and I’d say the results speak for themselves. I caught up with Eric saddling his runner for the Terra Del Capo handicap and he smiled broadly when I congratulated him on the day’s results, quipping ‘It doesn’t matter who wins the race, as long as they’re from my yard!’
2016 Gr1 Queen’s Plate winner, Legal Eagle (photo: hamishNIVENPhotography)
Legal Eagle’s win was a surprise for some, but less so for others and while there will be the usual grumbles and recriminations about pace, etc. the ink has dried and the result is in the frame and huge congratulations to all the connections (and particularly to Monique Mansour who managed the Tarry horses so professionally). It was particularly fitting that our premier race should go to our current champion trainer and champion owners. I thought it particularly sporting of Justin Snaith to use the opportunity of a post-race interview to weigh in on the debate regarding Legal Eagle’s rating. Justin was thoughtful enough to opine that despite the detractors, Legal Eagle had taken on the best the country could assemble and beaten them fairly and squarely at Weight For Age and deserved every bit of his rating – if not more. From one champion trainer to another, I thought it was a tremendous gesture. It’s also worth a mention that the Snaith yard pull out all the stops to support Queen’s Plate day – both in the press and on course – and were on the winner’s podium 5 times, so congratulations to them on a very good day at the office.
With the sweat drying on the day’s feature runners and the connections gearing up to celebrate, for the rest of us there was still business to conduct and three more races to finish off the day.
Big race days attract big crowds and one never knows who you might find out on the course. I found an old school friend with a clutch of English visitors and we cheerfully exchanged terrible tips and I fear I may have cost them some money on the tote, but they took it in good humour. Big days are also an opportunity to make new friends and Mr and Mrs Foster and I bonded over an errant bit of plastic in the parade ring and got chatting about their horses, their breeding programme and of course their fantastic double on the day with Black Arthur (who notched his 3rd win on the trot in the Politician Stakes) and Qing, who also made it three in a row in the Terra del Capo MR 89 handicap. Even more satisfying that both are homebreds and huge congratulations to you both – may there be many more.
Lester Piggott
While there was plenty of food for thought, for the racing soul and even for the stomach, my day’s highlight was undoubtedly the opportunity to meet and shake the hand of the one and only Lester Piggott. I’m not usually one to brag, but OMG. LESTER PIGGOTT!! Nevermind what else happened during the afternoon, that was my day made and a definite tick on the old bucket list. I may not wash my hand for the next few weeks.
Thank you again to everyone who worked so hard to make such a fantastic day. Here’s to doing it all over again in 2017.
2016 Queen’s Plate (photo: hamishNIVENPhotography)
