Queens Plate . . .

South Africa could soon have a racing festival similar to Ascot or Glorious Goodwood after the 156th Renewal of the Queen's Plate in Kenilworth last Saturday.

For the first time, the L'Ormarins Queen's Plate was part of a two day Festival held on Friday and Saturday. Friday saw the running of the Cartier Sceptre Stakes and Jamaica Handicap on Friday and the Queen's Plate as well as several other Graded races on the Saturday. All guests were encouraged to wear blue and white and if you Google pics of the event you'll see what an elegant affair it was.

Appropriately, the Queen's Plate was won by Legal Eagle, undoubtedly the best horse in the country and already one of the all time greats of South African turf. Princess Eugenie of York was present to award the connections of Legal Eagle with the trophy. Quite fitting to have Royalty in attendance for one of the world's great horseraces. A great even that is just going to grow and could soon rival the Durban July Handicap and the J&B Met as the premier horseracing event in this country.