2026 EQUUS AWARDS – NOMINEES
Johannesburg, South Africa — With the conclusion of 2026 World Pool Gold Cup day on 26 July and the final set of logs for the 2025/26 racing season, the Equus Awards judging panel has released the list of nominees for the 2026 Equus Awards.
The categories and finalists for the Equine Awards are:
CHAMPION 2-Y-O FILLY:
- Get Up
- Marchland
- Palace of Arvernia
CHAMPION 2-Y-O COLT/GELDING:
- Erik Dubois
- Haute Couture
- Rich Man’s World
CHAMPION 3-Y-O FILLY:
- Hazy Dazy
- Quickstepgal
- Wish List
CHAMPION 3-Y-O COLT/GELDING:
- Note To Self
- Star Major
- Tin Pan Alley
CHAMPION OLDER FEMALE:
- Asiye Phambili
- Double Grand Slam
- Mocha Blend
CHAMPION OLDER MALE:
- Buffalo Storm Cody
- Eight On Eighteen
- Questioning
- See It Again
- The Real Prince
CHAMPION SPRINTER:
- Asiye Phambili
- Buffalo Storm Cody
- Kingdundee
- Taxi To The Moon
CHAMPION MILER:
- Double Grand Slam
- Questioning
- Quickstepgal
- The Real Prince
- Tin Pan Alley
CHAMPION MIDDLE DISTANCE:
- Eight On Eighteen
- Mocha Blend
- Note To Self
- See It Again
- Star Major
- Wish List
CHAMPION STAYER:
- Ahead Of The Facts
- Curious Girl
- Enflame
- Holding Thumbs
All nominees qualify for the prestigious Equus Horse Of The Year Award.
The Equus Awards judging panel for 2026 comprises Graeme Hawkins (Chairman), Robert Bloomberg, Karel Miedema, Aveen Sewpersad and Darryl Maree. While the panel will have the deciding vote on the winners in each category, the lists of nominees are drawn from the Equus logs.
In addition to the above, there will also be Thoroughbred Breeders awards for:-
- Champion Broodmare
- Champion Stallion
- Champion Breeder
Nominees for the CHAMPION BROODMARE category are:-
- Massachusetts
- Palace of Dreams
- Real Princess
The Media Award categories are:-
- Print/Editorial
- Still Photography
- Video/Broadcast
The Human Achievement Award categories are:-
- Champion Apprentice Jockey
- Champion Jockey
- Champion Trainer
- Champion Owner
- Groom Of The Year
The Equus Awards will be hosted by 4Racing for 2026 and will celebrate all that made the season great at The Galleria in Sandton on Tuesday, 18 August.
Further updates and information will be published on the official Equus Awards website (www.equusawards.co.za) and social media channels.
ENDS.
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