The sun sets on the Cape Summer Season at Kenilworth on Saturday 23 February when the R400 000 Khaya Stables Gr2 Diadem Stakes takes pride of place in a new slot on the programme.
Longstanding Gr1 winning international owners Khaya Stables are once again the proud sponsor of the Diadem Stakes which will be run over the Kenilworth 1200m straight track.
Lord Randolph wins the 1987 Diadem Stakes
The racemeeting will bring the curtain down on the most exciting Cape Summer Season in recent history.The Diadem boasts a proud history spanning 45 years and has been won by some of the great horses to grace our tracks.
A lightning fast son of Royal Affair, Lancaster won the inaugural Diadem in 1974 and the honour roll is littered with champions.
One of the most dominant names on the honour roll is that of now retired trainer Charles Laird. The former handicapper, best remembered as the man who guided the star and top sire National Emblem throughout his illustrious race career in the 1990’s, virtually owned the Diadem in the early part of this century.
Charles Laird with National Emblem
He won the prestigious sprint with the high-class Nhlavini in 2001, 2002, 2005. The gutsy gelding ran second in 2004. Laird also trained Rebel King who won the Diadem in 2007.
The names of champion sire Captain Al (2000) and rising star What A Winter (2011,2012) also shine brightly in the recent history of the Diadem. Captain Al also had the honour of his son Captain of All winning in 2014.
The 2019 renewal has attracted an entry of 17 headed by Cape Flying Championship winner Kasimir.
The supplementary entries close at 11h00 on Wednesday 13 February and declarations are due 24 hours later.
DIADEM STAKES (Grade 2)
Weight For Age plus Penalties
| 4 | Kasimir | Accepted | (4G) | 60 | 117 | A | Justin Snaith |
| 7 | Sergeant Hardy | Accepted | (5G) | 60 | 112 | A | Justin Snaith |
| 14 | Attenborough | (5G) | 60 | 110 | BA | Joey Ramsden | |
| 15 | Silicone Valley | (8G) | 59 | 114 | A | Glen Puller | |
| 8 | Bishop’s Bounty | (5G) | 59 | 100 | A | Justin Snaith | |
| 5 | Trip To Heaven | (7G) | 58 | 111 | AT | Sean Tarry | |
| 16 | Speedpoint | (4C) | 58 | 109 | BA | Joey Ramsden | |
| 17 | Dutch Philip | (4G) | 58 | 106 | BA | Candice Bass-Robinson | |
| 13 | Sand And Sea | (4G) | 58 | 105 | A | Dennis Drier | |
| 12 | Tevez | (9G) | 58 | 100 | A | Candice Bass-Robinson | |
| 2 | Lord Balmoral (AUS) | (5G) | 58 | 99 | BA | Vaughan Marshall | |
| 9 | Ready Steady Go | (4G) | 58 | 93 | A | Harold Crawford | |
| 10 | Love To Boogie | (5M) | 55.5 | 103 | BA | Andre Nel | |
| 1 | Straat-Kind | (5M) | 55.5 | 88 | AT | Andre Nel | |
| 3 | Chimichuri Run | (3C) | 55 | 114 | AT | Sean Tarry | |
| 11 | Elusive Trader | (3G) | 55 | 98 | A | Greg Ennion | |
| 6 | Russet Air | (3G) | 55 | 90 | A | Candice Bass-Robinson | |
| (17) | |||||||
There are three support features on the day, including the Gr3 Prix Du Cap, the Listed Jet Master Stakes and the Listed Kenilworth Cup.
The Khaya Stables Diadem Stakes always attracts top quality fields and is run on an established popular family raceday that will have visitors enjoying the Seafood Village. With various types of seafood dishes on offer, along with other food stalls to tantalise the taste buds, it is a day not to be missed.
The Summer Market, with a designated kiddies entertainment area, will also be a popular attraction against the backdrop of an exciting day of racing action.
