With the 2016/2017 season behind us, its time to reflect on the successes of the past season which was one to remember for Varsfontein Stud.
Between the Highveld Awards, Cape Awards and Equus Awards, Varsfontein received accolades at each event.
At the Highveld Awards Varsfontein was awarded Champion Breeder. We were represented by numerous winners in the Highveld this season including dual feature race winner Polyphonic (by Judpot) who won both the G2 Gerald Rosenberg Stakes and Listed Jacaranda Handicap. Other notable performers to represent Varsfontein included G3 Daily Sun Magnolia Handicap winner Green Pepper, Listed SA Derby Trial winner and G1 SA Derby runner up Pagoda, and G1 Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Classic third Bi Pot.
At the Cape Racing awards Varsfontein owned Bela-Bela was awarded champion older female. Varsfontein bred Captain America scooped up three awards including the highest honour of Cape Horse Of The Year. He was also voted champion older male and champion Miler.
Susan and her son, John, accept the award for Bela-Bela along with trainer Justin Snaith
Breeder, owner and trainer of Captain America, Carl De Vos, Lance Sherrell, Susan Rowett and Brett Crawford
Outstanding Cape Breeder
Varsfontein Stud was also recognised as the Cape Outstanding Breeder due to our impressive tally of 10 individual stakes winners which was unmatched by any other stud. For breeders with 50 or more runners, we also led the way in terms of stakes winners to runners (8.7%) and winners to runners (56.5%).
For this same reason Varsfontein was also awarded Outstanding Breeder of the 2016/2017 on a national level at the Equus awards. Susan Rowett and Carl’s son, Pierre De Vos, were at the event to receive this award. Many thanks to all our supporters who purchase our yearlings and take them on to greater success on the track.
Equus Outstanding Breeder