Coral Fever won the Horse Of The Season has been one of the most consistent runners this season, having finished third in the Grade 1 Sansui Summer Cup, before winning the Grade 2 Colorado King Stakes and the Grade 1 Premier’s Champions Challenge at Turffontein.

The Takingthepeace team.

Takingthepeace, winner of both the Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas and Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Classic was an obvious choice for the Champion Three-Year-Old Filly award. She certainly captured the imagination of the racing public as she headed into the last leg of the Triple Tiara and the fact that owners Mike Shea and Murray Makepeace wear their hearts on their sleeves added to the attraction.

However, the judges’ debate on the colts must have gone on a while. Many take the view that Grade 1 results take preference over Grade 2 and Grade 3 races, while others just take the quality of each performance into account.

In the end, the award went to Alistair Gordon-trained Monks Hood, who won both the Grade 2 Investec Dingaans and the Grade 2 Gauteng Guineas. Both races were over 1600m.

There is no question that Lobo’s Legend, Hero’s Honour and Surcharge all deserved their nominations.

Champion Jockey went to Muzi Yeni, who won two Grade 1 races this season – aboard Coral Fever (Premier’s Champions Challenge) and Lobo’s Legend (SA Classic) – while Lyle Hewitson was named top apprentice.
Champion Owner went to Jessica Slack (Mauritzfontein Stud) who finished just four points ahead of Chris van Niekerk.

The following points system was used for the human awards:
(1st 2nd 3rd)
Grade 1 12 9 7
Grade 2 9 6 4
Grade 3 6 3 1
Listed 2 – –

The voting panel comprised Alistair Cohen, Clyde Basel and Larry Wainstein, with Vee Moodley as the non-voting chairman of the panel.

2018 RA AWARD WINNERS

Champion Two-Year-Old filly: Ronnie’s Candy
Other nominees: Celtic Sea, Dagmar

Champion Two-Year-Old Colt/Gelding: William the Silent
Nominee: Bold Eagle

Champion Three-Year-Old Filly: Takingthepeace
Nominees: Folk Dance, Green Plains, Secret Potion

Champion Three-Year-Old Colt/Gelding: Monks Hood
Nominees: Hero’s Honour, Lobo’s Legend, Surcharge

Champion Older Horse: Coral Fever
Nominees: Attenborough, Legal Eagle, Liege, Nother Russia

Champion Sprinter: Attenborough
Nominees: Pinnacle Peak, Tandava, The Thinker

Champion Middle Distance Horse: Coral Fever
Nominees: Legal Eagle, Monkshood, Nother Russia

Champion Stayer: Hero’s Honour
Nominees: Fortissima, Just Cruised In, Let it Rain, Secret Potion

Champion Work Rider: Samuel Mosia

Winner of the work rider series: Goodman Dadamasi

Champion Breeder: Varsfontein Stud (76 points)
Dead-heat for runners-up Summerhill and Ascot (both on 68)

Champion Apprentice: Lyle Hewitson

Champion Jockey: Muzi Yeni

Champion Trainer: Mike de Kock

Champion Owner: Mauritzfontein Stud (Jessica Slack)

Champion Horse of the Season: Coral Fever