MIKE de Kock’s stable picked up five awards and a special achievement award at Tuesday night’s Higveld Awards, presented by the Racing Association.
Three of the awards went t0 brilliant Australian-bred Rafeef, named Horse Of The Season. Sheikh Hamdan’s star also scooped Champion Older Horse and Champion Sprinter at the ceremony, dominated by Mike and champion trainer Sean Tarry.
Mary Slack-owned Orchid Island, a runner in Saturday’s Woolavington Stakes, was named Champion Three-Year-Old Filly and Rafeef’s two-year-old full-brother Mustaaqeem scooped the Champion Two-Year-Old Colt award.
Mike de Kock with Larry Wainstein of the Racing Association.
The judges comprised Clyde Basel, Vidrik Thurling and Robert Garner with Vee Moodley as the non-voting chairman.
The RA also presented Mike with an award for Special Achievement, having reached a milestone 3,000 winner during the season.
Mike praised his team for their dedication and hard work.
The award winners (in caps), with other nominations, were:
Champion Two-Year-Old Filly: Daring Diva; GREEN PLAINS
Champion Two-Year-Old Colt/Gelding: Barrack Street; MUSTAAQEEM (Aus)
Champion Three-Year-Old Filly: ORCHID ISLAND; Smiling Blue Eyes; Wind Chill
Champion Three-Year-Old Colt/Gelding: AL SAHEM; Heavenly Blue (Aus); Janoobi
Champion Older Horse: Deo Juvente; Legal Eagle; Master Sabina; Nother Russia; RAFEEF (Aus)
Champion Sprinter: RAFEEF (Aus); Trip To Heaven
Champion Middle-Distance Horse: Deo Juvente; LEGAL EAGLE; Master Sabina; Nother Russia
Champion Stayer: AL SAHEM; Fortissima; Hermoso Mundo; Wind Chill
The human awards, which are based on a points system, were presented to:
Work Rider of the Season:
SAM MOSIA
Champion Apprentice:
LYLE HEWITSON
Champion Breeder of the Season:
VARSFONTEIN STUD
Champion Jockey of the Season:
S’MANGA KHUMALO
Champion Trainer of the Season:
SEAN TARRY
Champion Owner of the Season:
MAYFAIR SPECULATORS (Nominee: Derek Brugman)
SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Mike de Kock
HORSE OF THE SEASON
Rafeef (Aus)
