Champions Season came to a fitting conclusion at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Sunday, with a strong programme delivering several memorable performances and important milestones for trainers, jockeys, owners and breeders.

The Grade 1 HKJC Champions Cup belonged to Eight On Eighteen, who returned to his best with a powerful victory under Richard Fourie.

The son of Lancaster Bomber had not quite reproduced his championship three-year-old form through much of the season, but trainer Justin Snaith remained confident that the colt would come right. Following a disappointing effort in the Grade 1 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge, there were encouraging signs in the build-up to Sunday’s race that Eight On Eighteen was once again moving in the right direction.

Eight On Eighteen responded immediately when Fourie asked the question, producing an exceptional turn of foot to sweep past his rivals and settle the result decisively. Stable companion See It Again followed him home to complete a notable exacta for Snaith Racing, breeders Drakenstein Stud and owner Nick Jonsson, whose colours were carried by both horses. A R700,000 graduate of the National Yearling Sale, Eight On Eighteen was bred by Drakenstein Stud and added another significant Grade 1 success to an already distinguished record.

For trainer Louis Goosen, the Grade 1 World Pool Moment of the Day Champion Stakes delivered a long-awaited career milestone when Erik Dubois (Erik The Red) prevailed under former South African champion jockey Lyle Hewitson. As the leader began to tire, Kazenoyoni looked determined to repel the challengers, but Hewitson found a valuable opening through the centre of the field aboard Erik Dubois bred by Dr Alan Miller.

The pair gradually wore down Kazenoyoni in a determined finish, giving Goosen his first Grade 1 winner after 35 years in the sport. Goosen had planned Erik Dubois’ preparation around the race and felt that the gelding had arrived at Hollywoodbets Greyville in the condition needed to produce his best. Hewitson, riding at his first meeting back on South African soil following his return from Hong Kong, praised the winner’s attitude and resilience.

Buffalo Storm Cody confirmed his standing among South Africa’s leading sprinters by successfully defending his crown in the Grade 1 Mercury Sprint. Drawn more favourably than he had been a year earlier, the Tony Peter-trained gelding was able to settle comfortably behind O’Tenikwa, who ensured a strong gallop. Gavin Lerena had Buffalo Storm Cody perfectly positioned and, once asked to go, the defending champion took control of the race.

Jet Force chased him home following his recent Grade 3 Post Merchants success, while the accomplished mare Asiye Phambili stayed on for third ahead of Questioning. His victory took his career tally to 11 wins and completed a second consecutive Mercury Sprint success. Bred by Narrow Creek Stud, Buffalo Storm Cody was purchased for R410,000 at the Cape Yearling Sale. He is trained by Tony Peter for Kestorm Investments and has continued to prove himself a shrewd purchase at the highest level.

Holding Thumbs (Vercingetorix) produced a fine front-running display to go one place better than last season in the Grade 3 World Pool Gold Cup for breeders Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein, the first of a feature double for the farms on the day. With King Pelles having denied him victory in the race a year ago, the Glen Kotzen-trained gelding returned with unfinished business. Chad Little took Holding Thumbs to the lead and was allowed to control the tempo without placing his mount under unnecessary pressure.

Holding Thumbs moved clear at the top of the straight and kept going strongly to defeat Ahead Of The Facts and the fast-finishing outsider Jazz Café. Defending champion King Pelles was eased out of the contest near the 1200m mark, although he was reported to be in good order following the race.

Kotzen explained that Holding Thumbs is not ideally suited to the Hollywoodbets Greyville circuit, prompting the decision to let him dictate his own fractions. The plan was carried out superbly by Little, who judged the pace accurately and made the most of the gelding’s natural ability to gallop. The Gr1 Betway Summer Cup is now being considered as a possible target.

The younger generation also made its presence felt, with Palace Of Arvernia producing an impressive performance in the Grade 2 World Pool With Race Coast Debutante. The daughter of Vercingetorix, out of Palace Of Dreams, finished strongly to earn the second Grade 2 victory of her short career. She was a R575,000 purchase from the 2025 National Yearling Sale, where Millstream Stud Farm consigned her as agent.

Bred by Al Adiyaat, the breeding operation of the late Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum, Palace Of Arvernia races for Messrs W A Irvine and P J Moor. She is trained by Dean Kannemeyer and was ridden to victory by Craig Zackey. Adding further interest to the result, her full sister will be offered by Millstream Stud Farm as Lot 130 at the 2026 August Two Year Old Sale.

Fish Tales maintained her unbeaten record with a commanding victory in the Grade 2 World Pool Bet With Tote Stakes. The daughter of Heavenly Blue, out of Caviar, has now won both of her starts and looks an exciting prospect for the James Crawford stable. Mickaëlle Michel was aboard for her latest success. A R375,000 graduate of the 2025 August Two Year Old Sale, Fish Tales was bred by Ascot Stud and races for Messrs Raphael Goolam, Tony Moodley and Selvan Naidoo.

Fairview visitor Marchland continued her excellent run of form with a fourth consecutive victory in the Grade 2 Douglas Whyte Stakes. The daughter of Malmoos arrived in KZN in winning form and carried that momentum firmly into feature company. Her success also marked trainer Kelly Mitchley’s first victory in the province, adding a particularly satisfying milestone to an already notable result.

Mocha Blend added further strength to the programme with an impressive victory in the Grade 2 Bet With The World Gold Bracelet. In doing so, she became the final feature-race winner of the season for champion breeders-elect Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein, providing a fitting conclusion to another outstanding campaign for the connections. Zeitz added another stakes victory to his record when capturing the Listed Tote Stakes under Serino Moodley.

By Vercingetorix out of Zappy Choice, the Maine Chance Farms-bred runner has now won five races, with his record including two Grade 3 victories and two Listed successes. Zeitz was purchased for R625,000 at the 2023 National Yearling Sale. He is trained by Andre Nel for owner Mrs Sabine Plattner and continues to prove himself a consistent performer in feature company.

Champions Season was brought to a successful close by Fortress Of Fire, who powered home on the outside under Rachel Venniker to win the Listed HKIR in December Umngeni Handicap.

The three-year-old son of Fire Away has now won five races for trainer Michael Roberts and owner Mr Erich Buhr. Bred by Clifton Stud, Fortress Of Fire was a R550,000 graduate of the KZN Yearling Sale.

His victory supplied a fitting final flourish to a meeting packed with quality, from emerging young talent to established Grade 1 performers returning to their best.