No. 2070 ISSN 1023 / 6996
MONDAY 18th - THURSDAY 21st AUGUST 2014 HAMISH NIVEN PHOTOGRAPHY
FLAMINGO PARK 12:20pm (Monday) p.4
GREYVILLE POLYTRACK 12:45pm (Tuesday) p.13
KENILWORTH 1:00pm (Wednesday) p.24
VAAL SAND
e connections
The Legislat
owned n Legislate cr Dynasty’s so f The Year O Equus Horse
12:10pm (Thursday) p.30
2014 EQUUS AWARDS
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While he will go down in South African horseracing history as one of the most widely debated Vodacom Durban July winners in living memory, the sensational Dynasty colt Legislate shrugged off the big-race hangover of negative sentiment with his trademark fighting spirit as he emulated his illustrious sire by being crowned SA Horse Of The Year last Wednesday evening.
he twisted irony and high drama of world-class sporting achievement doesn’t get much closer yet more diverse than the brilliant father and son and an iconic race called the Durban July. Dynasty gave us the July thrill at its best. He won it in 2003 after his Daily News victory in emphatic style
from a 20 draw. Legislate probably gave us the July thrill at its marginal worst. He won it last month after his Daily News victory, but frankly half unconvincingly on an objection. Objections are contentious. Gr1 objections are a nightmare. But the result went into the frame after an agonising Boardroom line- call that had to be one of the most difficult ever.
Runs Deep
And to those who suggest that Legislate swung the Horse Of The Year title on that boardroom decision, it may be worthwhile looking at his record. The golden thread runs much deeper. Firstly, only four July winners in the last thirteen years have gone on to claim Horse Of The Year, so glory in the Greyville flagship event is no rubber stamp. Legislate came out of the season with four great wins on the trot.
He won the Gr1 Cape Derby, the Gr2 KRA Guineas, the Gr1 Daily News 2000 and landed up banking the July winner’s cheque. That is top drawer stuff and he was always going to be tough to argue against.
Champions Season and we have notoriously short memories in this game. He went home empty handed after Equus. Cont. p.2
Pacesetters
The pacesetters with him for the coveted award had to be all of Yorker, Beach Beauty and to a lesser extent the SASOC Triple Crown winner, Louis The King. The latter blotted his copybook in the KZN
Our Best Adverts Aren't Written They Are Running! Equus Outstanding Stallion 2014
Wha� � dynast�! Son of HORSE OF THE YEAR Fort Wood 1999 Sire of HORSE OF THE YEAR Legislate 2014 Sire of CHAMPION OLDER MARE Beach Beauty 2014
Tel: Mike Sharkey 082 372 2682 www.highlandsfarmstud.co.za