While the final decisions for the Equus Awards rest with the esteemed judging panel—Graeme Hawkins, Nico Kritsiotis, Rouvaun Smit, Deez Dayanand and Vicki Minott—the panel’s deliberations are heavily guided by the Equus Logs, which track each horse’s performances across the season with points allocated according to finishing position and grade of race.

This year, Eight On Eighteen has stamped his authority on the track and is leading the Horse Of The Year standings. The triple Grade 1 winner is also ahead in the Three-Year-Old Male category and the fiercely contested Champion Middle Distance division, where he faces tough competition from Fire Attack, Atticus Finch and The Real Prince. In the same Three-Year-Old Male division, Fire Attack and One Stripe are also in contention—although One Stripe’s recent export to the USA may influence the final call.

Gimme A Prince continues to head up the Champion Sprinter and Champion Older Male categories, but the margins are tight. In the older male division, William Robertson, Oriental Charm, Dave The King and Atticus Finch are all in the mix, while Mia Moo and William Robertson are the key contenders challenging Gimme A Prince for Sprinter honours.

The Champion Older Female category is also shaping up to be a closely fought affair, with Double Grand Slam, Mia Moo and Rascova leading the charge. In the Two-Year-Old categories, Good For You, Charming Cheetah, Chronicle King, Absolutely Yes and Malmesbury Missile are the standout colts, while Direct Hit heads a strong filly lineup that includes Anotherdanceforme, Golden Palm, Green Diamond, One Fine Winter, Elegantrix and Quickstepgal.

The Champion Miler division is packed with quality—Cosmic Speed, Oriental Charm, One Stripe, Dave The King and Double Grand Slam are all potential winners, making this one of the most competitive categories. Meanwhile, the Champion Stayer category features a wide-open field led by King Pelles, Holding Thumbs, Mucho Dinero, My Soulmate and Love Is A Rose.

With several key races still to come, including those on World Pool Gold Cup Day, the points and prospects in each division may yet shift dramatically. The Equus Awards are set to be a celebration of a truly competitive and high-quality racing season and will be held in the Silver Ring at Hollywoodbets Greyville Racecourse on Thursday 14 August.

#Equus2025

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A NOTE TO ALL MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES: DON’T FORGET TO ENTER!

Equus Awards Criteria for Horseracing Media for the 2024/2025 Season

1. This award is open to all journalists and photographers within the print, television and electronic media industry.
2. Entry is not restricted to journalists from or within the horseracing media, all journalists are welcome and encouraged to submit work.
3. The three categories that will be judged are:
   Written material (print/electronic)
   Broadcast (includes television and internet)
   Photographic (still)
4. All entrants will be required to submit up to 2 pieces of their work that has been published (print/electronic) or broadcast (television/internet) during the South African horseracing season, that is from Aug-24 to 31-Jul-25
5. Applicants for the stills photographic category are required to submit up to 3 images of any aspect relating to the horseracing industry.
6. No late entries will be accepted and only work published or broadcast during the stipulated time period is eligible.
7. All entries received will be judged on research, accuracy, and presentation.
8. Work submitted must be well written or narrated, pertinent and of value to the sport of South African Horseracing.
9. Loyal support and positive contribution or coverage of the sport during the South African horseracing season is essential.
10. The judging panel’s decision is final, and no correspondence will be entered into.

CLOSING DATE: Monday, 4  August 2025
Submissions: info@equusawards.co.za