Eight On Eighteen tops Awards

SUCCESS: BRILLIANT 3YO NAMED EQUUS HORSE OF THE YEAR AND CHAMPION THREE-YEAR-OLD

- Jack Milner

Brilliant three-year-old colt Eight On Eighteen was named Equus Horse Of The Year at last night's gala function held at Hollywoodbets Greyville in Durban.

This year, Eight On Eighteen stamped his authority on the track and led the Horse-Of-The-Year standings by quite a long way.

His three Grade 1 victories were the Grade 1 WSB Cape Met and Splash Out Cape Derby, both run over 2000m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, as well as the Daily News 2000 over the same distance at Greyville.

He was narrowly beaten in the HWB Durban July as well, having to give weight to four-year-old The Real Prince.

It comes as no surprise that he was also named Equus Champion Three-Year-Old Male where the only other nominee was One Stripe, winner of the Grade 1 Cape Guineas and the L'Ormarins King's Plate.

Eight On Eighteen is owned by Nic Jonsson and Johan Rupert and is trained by Justin Snaith. His regular jockey was Richard Fourie.

One remarkable feat was achieved by Gqeberha trainer Alan Greeff. If there were any doubts about the fact that Greeff had the best two-year-old fillies in his yard they were quickly wiped out by news that all three were the only nominations for Champion Two-Year-Old filly with the award going to Golden Palm, who ran out a facile winner of the Grade 1 Douglas Whyte Thekwini Stakes over 1600m at Greyville with ease.