KOM NAIDOO
Competing against the big stables at any time of the year is a tough task for trainers but Kom has done exceptionally well for his patrons.
During the month he finished joint second on the KwaZulu-Natal trainer list with Dean Kannemeyer behind Duncan Howells by just one winner while a further 14 of the runners he saddled finished in the money.
His runners are always turned out in top condition and his efforts are worth the award this month.
Well done Kom.
ALYSON WRIGHT
Champion trainer Sean Tarry had an incredible month with 11 winners and another 11 places while Charles Laird and Duncan Howells did well with eight and seven winners respectively.
But having a less formidable string with which to work, Alyson turned her charges out in top condition to reward her in winning six races and finishing in the placings on another nine occasions for a win-place strike rate of 55.56%. Her loyal followers had their rewards as well with a R1 win bet on each of her 27 runners giving them a profit of R31.80.
Her dedication and professionalism are worthy of this month’s award.
Well done Alyson.
DEAN KANNEMYER
Since opening his satellite yard in KwaZulu-Natal Dean has made an incredible impact on racing in the province and winning the Vodacom Durban July has not been enough. His runners have continued to perform well and that continued through into the month under review.
He has drawn a strong team of supporters and those that have followed his stable have been well rewarded.
During the month eight of his 25 runners won and another eight finished in the placings at a win and place percentage of 64%. Those that wagered a win bet on each of his runners would have had a R20.10 return in the month.
Well done Dean.
SEAN TARRY
He is the new Champion Trainer in South Africa and has started the new season in fine style with his record for the month being outstanding.
While he could not match Dennis Drier in the number of winners, his win-place strike rate was magnificent with six winners and eight placings from just 19 runners and a percentage in the money of 73.68.
It was a performance befitting a champion and worthy of the award.
Well done Sean.
DENNIS BOSCH
In his younger days Dennis was one of the leading jockeys in South Africa, a powerful rider whose career in the saddle saw him win many top races. Weight problems eventually saw him turn his talents to training and this popular man has been very successful with a small string.
This was reflected during the month where he saddled five winners with his runners also securing nine placings from just 29 runners, an overall strike rate of just on 50%.
It was an excellent performance and worthy of the monthly award.
Well done Dennis.
DENNIS DRIER & DEAN KANNEMEYER
Making a decision this month was extremely difficult as there was a very strong case for the award going to Dennis Drier who captured three Grade 1 races among his eight winners in the month. It was an achievement that richly deserved it.
However, there is no greater achievement in South African racing than winning the Vodacom Durban July and Dean’s planning and preparation of Power King for the race and his subsequent victory as the pinnacle of his very successful season gave him a fractional edge in the decision.
Well done to Dean and Dennis
JOHAN JANSE VAN VUUREN
Entering the lion’s den of Champions Season in KwaZulu-Natal with the country’s top stables and horses in the province in their numbers is not easy and winning chances are few and far between.
But Johan had an excellent run with five wins and seven placings from just 16 runners, an outstanding win rate of 31% and a win-place rate of 75%.
Top stables of Mike de Kock and Duncan Howells with 39 and 72 runners respectively during the month, each managed only one winner more than Johan which added to the impressiveness of his success.
Well done Johan.
SEAN TARRY
It was a very difficult call this month with a number of trainers having multiple successes. Dean Kannemeyer had another good month with eight winners and Dennis Drier had a great day at Scottsville winning two of the four Grade 1 races, the Tsogo Sun Gold Medallion and the Tsogo Sun Sprint.
But in the end, having saddled six winners including the Grade 1 Daily News 2000 and the Grade 1 City Of Pietermaritzburg Fillies Sprint, Sean got the narrow selection for trainer of the month.
Well done Sean.
A popular Cape trainer that has supported Champions Season for many years, Dean had his first experience of training at Summerveld instead of his customary and preferred Clairwood centre which has closed. He has adopted perfectly to the different altitude and facilities and has had a great start to his season.
During the month, from just 15 runners, he managed to send out five winners with seven of his other runners finishing in the placings – four of them finding the second place box. This was an outstanding performance and worthy of the award. He wins this award for the second month in a row.
Well done Dean.
DEAN KANNEMEYER
Dean has been a regular visitor to the province for many years, operating out of Clairwood and making an important contribution to the success of the winter season. This year he has brought his team up from the Cape early to familiarise himself with the different conditions at Summerveld.
His foresight has been well rewarded as his runners have done exceptionally well and from just seven runners he has enjoyed five wins.
One of the most professional stables to visit during the season, local racegoers can look forward to more winners from this popular Cape trainer.
Well done Dean.
