The six-year-old Qui Danzig gelding, Key Of Destiny
stole the show at the KwaZulu-Natal Racing Awards in Durban last
night, capturing the coveted titles of Horse Of The Year, Sprinter
Of The Year and Older Colt/Gelding.
Trained by Colin Lee for a syndicate of owners, the gelding stunned
South African racing when he thrashed the best sprinters in the
country and broke his own course record for the Scottsville 1 200
metres to win the Grade 1 Golden Horse Sprint at the Pietermaritzburg
Racecourse.
The annual awards dinner at the International Convention Centre
in Durban was once again a glittering affair where the top horses
based in KwaZulu-Natal, as well as many of the province’s leading
racing personalities, were honoured for their achievements during
the past season and contributions to racing.
In particular, former chairman of Gold Circle and former chairman
of the Jockey Club Of South Africa, Mr Matthew McElligott, received
the KwaZulu-Natal Racing Chapter Award for his outstanding contribution
to the racing industry, the award being presented by the current
chairman of Golf Circle, Mr Chris Saunders.
The KZN Racing Association Chapter Meritorious Award was presented
by Chapter chairman, Mr Bill Lambert, to Craig Eudy who for decades
had been assistant trainer to Alistair Gordon and retired from racing
at the end of last season.
The award for the KwaZulu-Natal Owner Of The Year was presented
by Mr Lambert to Mr Roy Moodley and the KwaZulu-Natal Groom Of The
Year Award was made to Mr Mlamlwa Fanyana by the vice-chairman of
the Chapter, Mr Michael Holmes.
Mr Richard McElligott, vice-chairman of Gold Circle, presented
trainer Neil Bruss with the KwaZulu-Natal Training Achievement Award.
Mr Stephen Jupp, Chairman of the KwaZulu-Natal Jockey Association,
rewarded Anthony Delpech with the KwaZulu-Natal Jockey Association
Award. Mr Moga Pillay, a director of Gold Circle, presented Summerhill
Stud with the Breeder Of The Year Award.
The KwaZulu-Natal Jockey Apprentice Of The Year Award was presented
to Richard Fourie by the principal of the Equestrian and Jockey
Academy, Mr Patrick Salvage.
The other special award of the night was the Ernie Duffield Memorial
Trophy which was presented by Mr Moga Pillay to the province’s top
trainer last season, Dennis Drier.
The full list of horse awards is:
Champion 2 Year Old Filly
Legally Blonde
Owner: Mr M Destombes
Trainer: Mr P Lunn
Champion 2 Year Old Colt/Gelding
Golden Lullaby
Owner: Mr & Mrs J Reddy, Dr H R Somaru & Mrs E A M Gibson
Trainer: Mr P Lafferty
Champion 3 Year Old FILLY (JOint First)
Studio Fifty Four
Owner: Messrs B Ansell, E A Budlender, S R Burnill, C J P Meyer,
P R Rencken, Mr & Mrs Anant Singh
Trainer: Mr M Airey
CHAMPION 3 YEAR OF FILLY (JOINT FIRST)
Texan Summer
Owner: Messrs T J Torgius & J J Jackson
Trainer: Mr A Gordon
Champion 3 Year Old COLT/GELDING
Western Prospect
Owner: Miss C P Shaw
Trainer: Mr N Bruss
CHAMPION SPRINTER
Key of Destiny
Owners: Messrs N R Loudon, H Clarke , P Geldenhuys
Trainer: Mr C Lee
CHAMPION STAYER
Highland Night
Owners: Mr & Mrs A J MacDonald
Trainer: Mr D Drier
CHAMPION OLDER FILLY MARE
Battle Maiden
Owners: Mr & Mrs G J Armitage
Trainer: Mr N Bruss
CHampion Older Colt/Gelding
Key Of Destiny
Owners: Messrs N R Loudon, H Clarke , P Geldenhuys
Trainer: Mr C Lee
ANITA AKAL SPECIAL AWARD
Won by Richard McMillan