Saluting excellence and the embedded spirit of horseracing’s finest equine and human athletes.
The Equus Awards are South African horseracing’s premier annual honours, recognising excellence across equine, breeder, human, and media categories.
Award winners are determined through a combination of expert judging panels and official NHRA statistics to honour the achievements of the horses and people who shape the sport.
The Equus Awards Organising Committee includes representatives of the Thoroughbred Breeders Association, Race Coast, and 4Racing.
Eight On Eighteen
Groom: Philip Thengeza
Owners: Mr N Jonsson & Mr JP Rupert
Breeders: Drakenstein Stud (Nom: Mrs G A Rupert)
Graeme Hawkins joined The Mauritius Turf Club/Jockey Club in August 2025 following a lengthy career, spanning some 48 years, in South African racing. Starting out as a commentator and bloodstock auctioneer in Cape Town in 1977, Hawkins moved to the Highveld in 1983 where, after serving as a broadcaster for many years, he was appointed General Manager for the Racing Association in 2000. Two years later Brian Mehl approached Hawkins to come on board as Racing Executive for Phumelela. In 2008 he took up the position as Racing & Marketing Executive for Gold Circle and moved to Durban – a position he held until 2018. In the subsequent years before relocating to Mauritius, Hawkins was contracted by Gold Circle as a pundit, broadcaster and journalist. Hawkins also previously served on the Graded Races Committee, various Handicapping committees and as a Director of the South African Jockey Academy, and has been on the Equus Awards panel of judges for a number of years.
With more than 40 years in the horseracing industry, Robert Bloomberg is a respected attorney and consultant who has represented jockeys, trainers, owners and racing operators during the course of his distinguished career. He has served on numerous boards, committees and sub-committees, with notable highlights including co-founding Kenilworth Racing alongside Vidrik Thurling, serving as co-chair of Kenilworth Racing alongside Mark Currie, and playing a pivotal role in facilitating Greg Bortz and Hollywood’s rescue of Cape Racing and the subsequent acquisition of Kenilworth Racing.
As an owner, he has enjoyed success at the highest level of the sport, recording nine Grade 1 victories, including the 2005 Durban July with Dunford and the 2006 Queen’s Plate with Winter Solstice, who was named South African Horse of the Year in 2005.
Karel Miedema is founding editor of Raceform (1985), founding editor of Winner’s Circle (1986), founding editor of Racing Record Annual (1989), founding editor of Breeder’s Handbook Annual (1991), founding editor of Sporting Post (1994); donated Raceform ratings database to Jockey Club (1999, to facilitate start of official Merit Ratings) – currently editor of the Raceform ‘Racing Intelligence’ website & Sires Annual
Aveen Sewpersad currently serves as the National Racing Bureau Manager and brings extensive experience and insight within the South African horseracing industry.
Through his longstanding involvement in racing administration and industry operations, he has developed a strong understanding of the sport and its stakeholders.
Aveen enjoys being at the center of the sport. While relatively new to judging panels, he recently joined the Hollywoodbets Durban July panel and now the Equus Awards judging panel, opportunities he views as both an honour and a valuable learning experience.
He looks forward to contributing alongside respected industry professionals while continuing to broaden his perspective within the sport.
Darryl Maree is a respected form expert within the South African horseracing industry and is well known for his work on Weighted to Win, where he provides valuable racing analysis and insight to punters and racing enthusiasts alike. Renowned for his deep understanding of form, performance trends, and race assessment, he has built a strong reputation among the racing community.
With his extensive knowledge and passion for the sport, Darryl is excited to serve on the Equus Awards panel and looks forward to contributing his expertise alongside fellow industry professionals.
