MIKE de Kock (trainer) and patron Tony Moodley (owner) received Champion Season Accolades at the KwaZulu-Natal racing awards held last Thursday.

 The awards represent achievements based on the performance of horses, which are normally domiciled in KwaZulu-Natal. They were presented at a glittering dinner to honour the top performers, both equine and human, attended by a large gathering of racing personalities. 

De Kock’s runners racked up the most points and the seasonal exploits of Grade 1 winner Equal Image secured a trophy for Moodley.  Moodley said: “This was another honour for me in a wonderful season. I’d also like to compliment Gold Circle on a superb awards function at Greyville. Everything was exceptional, from the food to the entertainment.’’

Tony Moodley (right).

Three-year-old Qui Danzig gelding What A Question, owned by Ben and Sue Jonsson in partnership with Rob Hamilton and bred at the Daytona Stud, won three awards including Horse Of The Year.  What A Question also won the Three-Year-Old Colt/Gelding and the Champion Sprinter awards making it a great evening for his trainer, Alistair Gordon.  He was also on hand to see his four-year-old Goldkeeper filly, Disco Queen, win the Older Filly/Mare award for her owners, Messrs M. Marffy, P. H. Fisher, T. Karnezos, S. Marffy and A. Papageorgiou.

The Two-Year-Old Filly category was won by Team Valor’s London News filly, Sally Bowles and owners Messrs R. L. Bruss, P. A. Deal, Mrs D. Bruss and Mrs P. D. Hardy were awarded for Zebra Crossing winning the Older Colt/Gelding category. 

The award for the Champion Two-Year-Old Colt/Gelding was made to Mr D P Marescia’s Count Dubois gelding, Zenno, trained by Duncan Howells. 

Former champion jockey turned trainer, Michael Roberts, was on stage with owners Mr R. and Mrs E. M. Pennells, G. J. Westwater and J. T. Meyer to receive the award for Silver Empire’s success in the Three-Year-Old Filly category. 

The award for Stayer Of The Year went to the Brett Crawford-trained Reveille Boy, owned by Mrs Sabine Plattner. 

Brandon Lerena received the apprentice award and Sean Cormack was declared the leading jockey of the season. 

Dennis Drier was voted Trainer Of The Year and the award for the training achievement of the year went jointly to Corinne Bestel and Duncan Howells. 

Summerhill Stud was named Breeder Of The Year and Mxoloisi Mpukane was declared the Groom Of The year.

 The Owner Of The Year award was presented to Sabine Platter and the special award, for his contribution to racing, was made to owner-breeder Chris Saunders.  The other Champion Season accolades were presented to Anton Marcus (Jockey), and Lammerskraal Stud (Breeder), with the Meritorious Award going to owner Chris van Niekerk.