The annual Equus Awards honour excellence in the local horse racing industry, recognizing both equine and human achievements across various categories.
The 2026 Equus Awards will be held on Tuesday, 18 August and hosted by 4Racing at The Galleria in Sandton.
2026 Equus Awards – Equine Achievement Categories
The nominees / winners for the equine categories are determined through a points-based system and a judging panel.
The first official table will be published on 8 June, the second table published in early July and the final log in early August.
The judging panel for this year’s Equine Categories comprises:-
Graeme Hawkins (Chairman), Robert Bloomberg, Karel Miedema, Aveen Sewpersad and Darryl Maree.
This year’s Equine Achievement categories are:-
Champion Two-Year-Old Filly
Champion Two-Year-Old Male
Champion Three-Year-Old Filly
Champion Three-Year-Old Male
Champion Older Female
Champion Older Male
Champion Sprinter (1000m – 1200m)
Champion Miler (1400m – 1600m)
Champion Middle Distance Horse (1800m – 2200m)
Champion Stayer (2400m+)
Champion Sire
Champion Broodmare
Horse Of The Year
2026 Equus Awards – Human Achievement Categories
The winners of the Human Achievement categories will be determined by their standing on the national log at the close of the 2025/26 season.
This year’s categories are:-
Champion Apprentice (based on number of wins)
Champion Jockey (based on number of wins)
Champion Trainer (based on stakes – excluding restricted races)
Champion Owner(s) (based on stakes – excluding restricted races)
Champion Breeder(s) (based on stakes – excluding restricted races)
Groom of the Year honours will be awarded to the groom of the 2026 Horse Of The Year.
2026 Equus Awards – Media Awards
Submissions for this year’s Media Awards will open in early August and the judging panel will be announced in due course.
This year’s categories are:-
Print Media
Still Photography
Broadcast
Further updates and information will be published on the official Equus Awards website (www.equusawards.co.za) and social media channels.
