2025 Highveld Feature Season Awards honours of the best
The evening celebrated the best South African horse racing has to offer.
South Africa’s horse racing community gathered on May 17 at the Turffontein Racecourse to celebrate outstanding performances and achievements with the 2025 Highveld Feature Season Awards.
The event, themed ‘It’s in our Veins’, honoured the season’s top equine and human performers.
The evening was filled with elegance, heritage, and sporting excellence, as industry legends and rising stars gathered to applaud the year’s most unforgettable moments.
The host, Nico Kritsiotis, led the proceedings, paying tribute to remarkable performances, hard-earned victories, and an enduring passion for the sport.
Champions crowned
The prestigious horse of the season title was awarded to Fire Attack, recognising its exceptional campaign marked by consistency and top-tier performances. Fire Attack also took home the champion middle distance horse title.
Other notable winners included
• Green Diamond as champion two-year-old filly
• Esteemed as champion two-year-old colt/gelding
• Fiery Pegasus as champion three-year-old Filly
• William Robertson as champion older horse and champion sprinter
• Cosmic Speed as champion miler
• Legend of Arthur as champion stayer
Human achievements recognised
Individuals were also recognised for their contributions:
• Gavin Lerena is the champion jockey
• Sean Tarry took home the champion trainer award
• Phenisile Mongqawa crowned champion work rider
• Trent Mayhew is the champion apprentice
• Varsfontein Stud recognised as champion breeder
• Drakenstein Stud (Mrs G A Rupert) awarded champion owner
Celebrating heritage and excellence
The event celebrated the sport’s heritage and excellence, with a forward-looking optimism for the upcoming season.
4Racing CEO Patrick Duff praised the incredible athletes.
“The horse and human connection make the sport unforgettable. Congratulations to the winners, and here is to another year of racing excellence,” said Duff.
