Cape Town - Favourites Futura and Legislate are certain to get the adrenaline rushing track-side when the Cape’s premier horseracing event, L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate 2016, takes place at Kenilworth Racecourse on January 9.
Bringing the country’s most competitive racehorses and jockeys together in a glorious setting, this year’s event will see LQP 2015 winner Futura, and Cheveley Stud’s Legislate, going neck to neck for the coveted trophy and R1 million purse.
“If you think about all the horses that are born, bred and trained in South Africa - not to mention others that come from overseas to try and achieve the winning result - it shows how difficult, challenging and competitive the sport really is,” said Kevin Sommerville, Kenilworth racing manager.
Trained at Justin Snaith Stables, both Futura and Legislate have a strong track record, and have challenged each other at various exhilarating events. The pair started off in the Green Point Stakes last season with Legislate setting a new mile course record and Futura finishing third before going on to take both the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate and the J&B Met for Brett Crawford.
“Futura has everything a top class racehorse needs from a laid-back temperament, the ability to relax in the running, a fantastic turn of foot as well as plenty of speed,” said jockey Bernard Fayd'Herbe.
On top of winning the Equus Horse of the Year award, Futura is a four times Grade 1 Winner, including the Queen’s Plate, J&B Met, and the Champions Cup (twice), while Legislate - also an Equus Horse of the Year winner - has won four Grade 1’s including the Cape Derby, Daily News, Durban July and Gold Challenge.
“Legislate has proved that he is worthy of his long list of credentials, as his three wins at Investec Cape Derby, Daily News and the July, exemplified by his tremendous turn of foot, puts him in a truly world class performance category,” said Pierre Strydom, one of Africa’s top jockeys.
The 2016 LQP is set to be an unforgettable day of horseracing with a 12-race card, which may even see a new equestrian star born as, following star-studded racing careers, both Futura and Legislate will retire to Drakenstein Stud after the race.
Looking to tip the balance of power, other favourites to look out for on the day include Act of War, French Navy, Trip to Heaven and Ice Machine.
Track-side, LQP hospitality is again a good bet. From the general access Style Lounge, to the stylish Stud club; the luxurious Chef’s Table, to the comfort of the Kenilworth Building, there is an area tailored to suit. For more information on ticket sales, visit http://lqp.co.za/tickets-hospitality/style-lounge-tickets/