Cape Breeders and their equine stars were honoured at Wednesday night’s Cape Breeders Awards, held at the elegant Molenvliet Estate in Stellenbosch.
The evening, which also saw tribute paid to the late champion sire Captain Al, proved a rousing success, with guests treated to a sumptuous meal, with the Breeders Awards preceding the Racing Awards.
Klawervlei Stud enjoyed a memorable evening, with the Bonnievale Farm not only named Breeder of The Year but also producing the Cape Champions Edict Of Nantes, Just Sensual and Carry On Alice.
Avontuur Thoroughbred Farm, however, was responsible for the star of the show, with six time G1 winner Legal Eagle named Horse Of The Year, Champion Middle Distance Horse and Champion Older Male.
Already a triple Equus Champion, and South African Horse Of The Year, Legal Eagle is a leading contender for similar honours at Tuesday night’s Equus Awards.
Maine Chance Farms’ resident sire Silvano, South Africa’s Champion Sire of last season, was named Stallion Of The Year, while former multiple Equus Champion What A Winter, who stands at Drakenstein Stud, was the Outstanding New Stallion Of The Year. A four time G1 winning son of champion sire Western Winter, What A Winter’s daughter Magical Wonderland was crowned Cape Racing’s Juvenile Filly Of The Year for 2016-2017 later that evening.

Varsfontein Stud, whose 10 black type winners last season included G1 Rising Sun Gold Challenge winner Captain America (later voted Cape Racing’s Horse Of The Year), were named Outstanding Breeder for a season which saw the farm’s graduates pick up an impressive 14 black type feature races.
The 2016-2017 was another tremendous year for Cape bred thoroughbreds, who won a staggering 24 of the 28 G1 races run in South Africa during the season. May 2017-2018 be even better!
Champion Two Year Old Colt: Sand And Sea (Drakenstein Stud)
Champion Two Year Old Filly: Lady In Black (Highlands Stud part of Ridgemont Group)
Champion Three-Year-Old Colt: Edict Of Nantes (Klawervlei Stud)
Champion Three-Year-Old Filly: Just Sensual (Klawervlei Stud)
Champion Older Male: Legal Eagle (Avontuur Thoroughbred Farm)
Champion Older Female: Carry On Alice (Klawervlei Stud)
Champion Sprinter: Bull Valley (Ambiance Stud)
Champion Middle Distance Horse: Legal Eagle (Avontuur Thoroughbred Farm)
Stayer Of The Year: Hermoso Mundo (Mauritzfontein)
Broodmare Of The Year: Mystic Sprint (Cheveley Stud)
Stallion Of The Year: Silvano (Maine Chance Farms)
Outstanding New Stallion Of The Year: What A Winter
Breeder Of The Year: Klawervlei Stud
Horse Of The Year: Legal Eagle
Outstanding Breeder Of The Year: Varsfontein Stud
Special Service Industry Award: Charles Faull