Futura Named South Africa's Horse of the Year
Description:
The Justin Snaith-trained Futura was named South Africa's Horse of the Year for the 2014-2015 racing season.
Futura won three group I stakes during the season, including the Champions Cup. He was honored Aug. 11 at a ceremony hosted at Emperors Palace Casino in Gauteng. The son of Dynasty, bred by Guy Murdoch and owned by Jack Mitchell, John Freeman, and Drakenstein Stud, also won the J&B Met (SAf-I) and L'Ormarins Queen's Plate (SAf-I) during the past season. Futura was also named Equus champion older male and champion middle-distance horse for the season.
Klawervlei Stud was named South Africa's champion breeder for a second year running, while that farm's Captain Al was crowned champion sire for a first time.
Klawervlei are breeders of Equus Champions Seventh Plain (2-year-old colt), while Captain Al is the sire of Captain of All, who was named South Africa's champion sprinter. Captain of All is now standing alongside his sire at Klawervlei while another Klawervlei-based sire, Count Dubois, was responsible fothe Equus champion 3-year-old colt in the form of French Navy, who won two group I races during the year.
A pair of Australian-bred fillies dominated the female awards, with More Than Ready filly Entisaar being named South Africa's champion 2-year-old filly and Rock of Gibraltar's multiple group I winner Alboran Sea champion 3-year-old filly.
Gavin Lerena and Sean Tarry picked up their first titles as champion jockey and trainer, respectively.
Ingrid and Markus Jooste were named owner of the year for the eighth year in a row.
Other awards for the evening included: Hammie's Hooker, older female; Wild One, stayer; Piere Strydom, special achievement award; Si Senorita, broodmare of the year; Dynasty, outstanding stallion; Highland Farms, breeder; Craig Zackey, apprentice jockey; Kevin Harris; media television; and Michael Clower, print media.