East Cape champion trainer Alan Greeff’s record-breaking win tally of 176 last season was a long-standing benchmark held by his good friend and arch-rival, Gavin Smith.
The two yards have dominated the East Cape racing landscape for 25 years.
Greeff was awarded an outstanding achievement acknowledgement for his feat, while Smith was also acknowledged for having held the previous record of 150 winners for 13 long seasons.
Joyce Burggraaf (Second from left) with the Smith team and the Hooves Of Troy trophy (Pic – Pauline Herman)
Hollywoodbets sponsored Gavin Smith, whose smart Hooves Of Troy was crowned champion 2yo male, was both surprised and pleased with his award and congratulated Alan Greeff on his top season.
Gavin took over from his Dad Andy in 1995. A champion in his own right, Andy passed away in 2014 at the age of 76 after years of ill health.
Hooves Of Troy wins the Dahlia Plate (Pic – Pauline Herman)
“It’s always an honour to be acknowledged and it was a wonderful evening amongst colleagues and friends. But I’d like to give a special mention of appreciation and a word of congratulations to Joyce Burggraaf, who travelled all the way to Port Elizabeth from Saudi Arabia to collect the award for Champion 2yo Colt / Gelding for Hooves Of Troy. That’s a long round trip and it’s a reflection of a passion and interest for this great game. They have a really lovely 3yo in Hooves Of Troy and we are set for a good season.”
Bred by Hartley SA, the son of Vercingetorix went through the ring for just R60 000 at the KZN Yearling Sale
Hooves Of Troy is out of the seven-time winning Mogok mare, Secret Magok.
Gavin Smith loves the horse – “He’s a dead ringer for probably the best horse I trained, called Bold Silvano!”
Ed – Gavin Smith’s Outstanding Achievement Award was omitted from a list of official winners furnished originally. Records have been amended.
