THE Highveld racing season was concluded at the end of April and the best performers will be honoured at a gala dinner on Saturday 20 May.

A panel of judges, comprising Nicci Garner, Jack Milner, Lennon Maharaj, Germaine Maharaj, Shaheen Shaw, Patrick Davis and Darryl Maree, was convened to assess the star performances of the season. Vee Moodley was the non-voting chairperson of the panel.

While many of the awards will be voted on by the panel, the winners of the champion breeder, apprentice, jockey and trainer awards were calculated on a point system according the Graded races won. The champion owner will be decided on stakes earned.

2011 HIGHVELD AWARDS NOMINEES

CHAMPION TWO YEAR OLD FILLY
Hidden Beauty, Shestheclubqueen

CHAMPION TWO YEAR OLD COLT/GELDING
Delago Deluxe, Midnight Serenade

CHAMPION THREE YEAR OLD FILLY
Hollywoodboulevard, Igugu

CHAMPION THREE YEAR OLD COLT/GELDING
English Garden, Link Man, Perana, Seal, The Apache

CHAMPION OLDER HORSE
Dancewiththedevil, Flirtation, Happy Landing, Val de Ra

CHAMPION SPRINTER
Magico, Shea Shea, Val De Ra

CHAMPION MIDDLE DISTANCE HORSE
Dancewiththedevil, Flirtation, Happy Landing, Igugu

 CHAMPION STAYER
Arcola, Herod the Great, Igugu, Ilsanpietro, Seal

CHAMPION SAND SPECIALIST
Headstrong, Iron Curtain, Storm Crossing

HORSE OF THE SEASON
All winners of the above categories qualify

CHAMPION APPRENTICE
T Appie, N Juglall, J P van der Merwe

CHAMPION JOCKEY
A Delpech, G Lerena, A Marcus

CHAMPION TRAINER
M de Kock, C Laird, G Woodruff

CHAMPION BREEDER
Summerhill Stud (Pty) Limited, Graystone Stud, Adv A P Joubert

CHAMPION OWNER
Mr St John Gray, Mrs I and Mr M J Jooste, Wilgebosdrift Stud (Pty) Ltd (Nom: Mrs M Slack)

Photo: Storm Crossing has been nominated for Champion Sand Specialist. His regular jockey, Tshwar Appie, is one of three candidates for Champion Apprentice.