
On January 4, 2025, Hollywoodbets Kenilworth Racecourse in Cape Town, South Africa, will host two pivotal Group 1 races: the L’Ormarins King’s Plate and the Cartier Paddock Stakes.
These events are integral to the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series, offering winners automatic berths to the prestigious Breeders’ Cup World Championships scheduled for October 31 to November 1 at Del Mar.
L’Ormarins King’s Plate
The L’Ormarins King’s Plate, a 1,600-meter (approximately one mile) turf race, grants the victor a coveted spot in the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1T). This year’s race boasts a record purse of R3 million (around US$158,736), up from R2 million the previous year.
Leading the field is See It Again, a gelding by Twice Over, owned by Nick Jonsson and trained by Mike Roberts. In 2023, See It Again secured victories in three stakes, including the Cape Derby (G1) and Daily News 2000 (G1). Although his 2024 season didn’t mirror the prior year’s success, he remained competitive, notably finishing second to Charles Dickens in the 2024 King’s Plate.
Another formidable contender is One Stripe, trained by Vaughan Marshall and owned by Rikesh Sewgoolam. This South African runner enters the King’s Plate with impressive form, having clinched two consecutive wins and triumphing in five of his last six outings. His recent victory in the December 14 Cape Guineas (G1) for 3-year-olds underscores his rising prominence in elite company.
Gimme a Prince and Royal Aussie also present strong cases. Gimme a Prince secured third place in the November 16 Cape Mile (G3), while Royal Aussie was the runner-up in the December 7 Green Point Stakes (G2), indicating their readiness for this high-stakes competition.
The L’Ormarins King’s Plate is scheduled as the seventh race on the card, with a post time of 16:10 local time (9:10 a.m. ET).
Cartier Paddock Stakes
The Cartier Paddock Stakes, covering 1,800 meters (about 1 1/8 miles) on turf, offers the winner a fees-paid entry into the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf (G1T). The race carries a purse of R1 million (approximately US$53,078).
Notably, Oisin Murphy, a four-time champion jockey in the United Kingdom and Breeders’ Cup winner, will ride Silver Sanctuary, trained by Mike de Kock. Breaking from the outside post in a field of 12, Silver Sanctuary, a daughter of Silvano, boasts a victory in the Woolavington 2000 (G1) in 2024 and a recent second-place finish in the December 16 Ipi Tombe Challenge (G2) at Turffontein.
Drakenstein Stud’s Double Grand Slam, trained by Justin Snaith, also merits attention. This filly, by Vercingetorix, has been competing primarily in races ranging from seven furlongs to a mile. Owned in partnership with Suzette Viljoen, Dave MacLean, and retired golfing legend Gary Player, Double Grand Slam recently outperformed several rivals, including Rainbow Lorikeet, Saartjie, Rascova, Gold Poker Game, Knockout, and Red Palace, in a November 23 mile race.
The Cartier Paddock Stakes is slated as the sixth race, with a start time of 15:35 local time (8:35 a.m. ET).
Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series
As part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series, winners of these races receive more than just an invitation. The Breeders’ Cup covers pre-entry and entry fees for the World Championships and provides a travel allowance for starters based outside North America. To avail these rewards, the Challenge winner must be nominated to the Breeders’ Cup program by the pre-entry deadline of October 20.
These prestigious races not only highlight South Africa’s rich horse racing heritage but also offer local talent a global platform, potentially leading to international acclaim at the Breeders’ Cup. The outcomes on January 4 will significantly influence the narratives leading up to the World Championships at Del Mar, promising thrilling prospects for both participants and enthusiasts worldwide.