A field of 12 will line up on L’Ormarins King’s Plate day at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday 6 January 2024 for the second R200 000 Okapi Ladies International.
The 163rd renewal of South Africa’s premier weight-for-age mile, the L’Ormarins King’s Plate, is the big day headliner and gets the new year off on a winning note.
The all-female line-up of amateur riders in the opening event of the prestigious raceday includes a host of talents from a wide range of equestrian disciplines, encompassing showjumping, equitation and track racing.
Candiese Lenferna captured the Okapi class of ’23 – flanked by organiser Gina Goldsmith (far right, back) and Riding Master Craig Du Plooy (far left, back)
The concept is the brainchild of Drakenstein’s Gaynor Rupert, and inspired by the Magnolia Cup at Glorious Goodwood in Britain.
The Okapi Ladies International was introduced to the L’Ormarins King’s Plate programme in 2023 and proved a hugely popular addition to the prestigious racing programme.
Craig Du Plooy, the Hollywoodbets Western Province Groom School Riding Master and a former jockey himself, pointed out that the growth of ladies entering horse racing has been breathtaking.
“In a profession previously dominated by males, we have seen ladies achieve at the very highest level such as Hollie Doyle internationally and Rachel Venniker on the local stage. The Okapi Ladies International has proven to be an exciting innovation for horseracing in Cape Town, and the quality of this year’s applicants has been excellent. I am confident that the 2024 renewal is going to be a very competitive, exciting race, as all the riders have been hard at work training over the past three months, with a number of last year’s contestants back for another try, as well as many new faces.”
1st R118750, 2nd R38000, 3rd R19000, 4th R9500, 5th R4750, RCIS R10000
OKAPI LADIES INTERNATIONAL MAIDEN PLATE
For all Maidens
| 1 | 1 | Roll Of The Dice | 63 | 0 | A | *Kayleigh Oakes | HWJ Crawford/M Rix | |
| 2 | 2 | Noon Day Gun | 63 | 82 | A | …………… | Justin Snaith | |
| 3 | 3 | Rougarouin | 63 | 73 | A | *Milica Dusanovic | Candice Bass-Robinson | |
| 4 | 4 | Riverstone | 63 | 0 | A | *Kim Meaker | Gareth van Zyl | |
| 5 | 5 | Connery | 63 | 79 | A | *Wilmien Fourie | Glen Kotzen | |
| 6 | 6 | See You In A Bit | 61.5 | 79 | A | *Helen Richardson | Glen Kotzen | |
| 7 | 7 | Gravity | 63 | 82 | A | *Savanna Valjalo | Justin Snaith | |
| 8 | 8 | Gimmethelimelight | 61.5 | 80 | BA | *Kelsey Mayhew-Munger | Justin Snaith | |
| 9 | 9 | Wissa’s On Fire | 63 | 0 | A | *Danielle Rivalland | Gareth van Zyl | |
| 10 | 10 | Love Shack | 61.5 | 78 | A | *Chiné van Niekerk | Candice Bass-Robinson | |
| 11 | 11 | Ischyro | 63 | 0 | A | *Lily-Rose Jamieson | Lucinda Woodruff | |
| 12 | 12 | The Us Of A | 63 | 0 | A | *Vicky Lerena | Patrick Kruyer | |
| Same Trainer | ||||||||
| (2,7,8) (3,10) (4,9) (5,6) | ||||||||
Organiser Gina Goldsmith endorsed Craig du Plooy’s view and told the Sporting Post that there was plenty of varied experience in the Okapi International class of ’24, including the likes of Savanna Valjalo, who partners Gravity for Justin Snaith, and has been riding since the age of three.
Gina pointed out that some of the other lady riders are continuing on a family legacy of equestrian excellence, and mentioned Ischyro’s jockey Lily Rose Jamieson, whose late great-grandfather competed as a jockey in the 1920’s.
Accomplished workrider and jockey’s wife Kelsey Mayhew-Munger travels from Canada to partner Gimmethelimelight for Justin Snaith.
Kelsey Mayhew-Munger is back for another shot at the title (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
Gareth van Zyl saddles Captain Of All colt Wissa’s On Fire for the Hollywood Syndicate, and the recent Hollywoodbets Scottsville debut runner-up will be partnered by Danielle Rivalland, the 2023 Okapi International runner-up rider.
“We are delighted at the interest this year and there is some incredible talent, not only as riders, but in their capacity as racing ambassadors, “ added Gina
“We have all been impressed by their dedication and enthusiasm, and are so looking forward to what I’m sure will be a highlight of an already exciting and memorable day. Massive thanks must go to Okapi and the L’Ormarins Kings Plate for making this event possible,” she concluded.
The first race is off at 12h25.
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