Equus Awards name Variety Club the horse of the year MyZA

South African Breeders’ Championship 2012/2013. Photo: Summerhill Archives

It was an evening to remember at the Equus Awards held at the superb Emperors Palace Casino and hotel in Johannesburg last night.

The grand function is the highlight of the year for so many in the industry as it is racings day out Oscar style with great fashion from the ladies, black tie from the gentlemen and good food and music as the topping on a memorable day.

The award winners naturally have the biggest smiles but the good vibes are felt all round.

The awards went according to the script with limited debate on the winners. The two year Filly was always going to be contentious but so was the stayer category.

However no one could really complain about the actual winners. They were all worthy of these grand champion awards.

The horse of the year was again Variety Club. It was hard to oppose the unbeaten champion for this year in review. He never fluffed his lines and beat a world class filly in Beach Beauty on his way to this award. Hence the races weren’t weak and he acquitted himself exceptionally.

2013 Equus Awards – all the winners:

Champion 2 year colt (distance immaterial)
Kochka

Champion 2 year Filly (distance immaterial)
Along Came Polly

Champion 3year old colt (distance immaterial)
Vercingetorix

Champion 3 year Filly (distance immaterial)
Cherry on the Top

Champion older male (distance immaterial)
Variety Club

Champion Older filly/ mare (distance immaterial)
Beach Beauty

Champion sprinter (1000-1200; age/gender immaterial)
What A Winter

Champion Miler (1400-1600; age/gender immaterial)
Variety Club

Champion middle distance horse (1400-2200; age/gender immaterial)
Heavy Metal

Champion stayer (2400 and up; age/gender immaterial)
Jeppe’s Reef

Champion trainer – Mike De Kock