Much debate has ensued since the closure of the Durban season whether or not to campaign the gelding in Dubai for the 2010 season, but ultimately the final decision was left to trainer Mike Bass to settle.

His reasoning is clear cut. For an unsound and temperamental horse, the tedious travel arrangements, and what would have been a tough campaign, would simply have been unfair to ask of the horse at this stage of his career. “If there were no quarantine restrictions and I was able to condition the horse in South Africa just prior to a race in Dubai, there would be little doubt in my decision. My conclusion was made purely with the horses' best interests at heart.”

The verdict was well accepted by the general public and there seems to be an air of excitement at the prospect of seeing him able to defend his title in the 2010 running of the Queens Plate and J&B Met next year. Dancers Daughter and champion colt Big City Life will have other plans though, and the stage will be set for some titanic clashes for racing fans to embellish!

The awards dinner was well organised and enjoyed by all, but the highlight of the evening was most certainly that of Andrew Fortune who received a tear jerking standing ovation for his achievement in attaining the title of South Africa’s Champion Jockey. The man is a legend and inspiration, and the kind of stuff movies are made of. The whole team at Mike Bass Racing are very proud of you and may you only go from strength to strength.

It has been another positive year for South African Racing and we can only look forward to the next one with equal anticipation and optimism. Congratulations to all the nominees and winners of the prestigious awards.

And the awards went to:

Champion 2year old colt (distance immaterial)
MUSIR

Champion 2 year Filly (distance immaterial)
LAVERNA

Champion 3year old colt (distance immaterial)
BIG CITY LIFE

Champion 3 year Filly (distance immaterial)
LADY WINDERMERE

Champion older male (distance immaterial)
POCKET POWER

Champion Older filly/ mare (distance immaterial)
DANCERS DAUGHTER

Champion sprinter (1000-1200 age/gender immaterial)
REBEL KING

Champion middle distance horse (1400-2200 age/gender immaterial) POCKET POWER

Champion stayer (2400 and up/ age/gender immaterial)
MOKARO

Special Equus Outstanding Achievement Award
DOUGLAS WHYTE

Outstanding Stallion Achievement Award
CAPTAIN AL, KLAWERVLEI STUD

Broodmare Of The Year
TRADE ENQUIRY

Champion Breeder
SUMMERHILL STUD

Breeder of the Year
MAURITZFONTEIN STUD

Champion Jockey
ANDREW FORTUNE

Champion Trainer
CHARLES LAIRD

Champion Apprentice
DERECK DAVID

Work riders of the year
ANDILE NZONGO (Cape); JACKSON FENI (Gauteng)

Media Award
DAVID MOLLETT

Champion Stallion
JET MASTER

Owner/s Of The Year
INGRID AND MARKUS JOOSTE

Horse Of The Year
POCKET POWER