CAPE TOWN’S SPORT OF KINGS
CELEBRATING 150 YEARS OF THE L’ORMARINS QUEEN’S PLATE
The 150th running of the Queen’s Plate, sponsored by L’Ormarins Wine Estate since 2008, will celebrate the royal history of this premier horse race with a gathering of the finest thoroughbreds in South Africa at Kenilworth Race Course, Cape Town, on Saturday, 8 January 2011.
AN ILLUSTRIOUS EQUINE HISTORY
Steeped in tradition and prestige, the Queen’s Plate is the oldest horse racing event in South Africa bearing international significance. The event was first raced in 1861 in honour of Queen Victoria. When she died, the race became the King's Plate during the reigns of Edward VII and George VI but reverted to its original name in 1953 after the accession of Queen Elizabeth II to the throne. To this day, Queen Elizabeth retains a keen interest in the race and its outcome, and she is represented here every year by the British High Commissioner, the Hon Dr Nicol Brewer. This year, in honour of the 150th anniversary, L’Ormarins is expecting additional royal interest. With its royal involvement, the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate not only hosts courageous and determined champion racehorses, but its stylish theme of blue and white also brings elegance and beauty into the mix. The 2011 event will commemorate 150 years since Queen Victoria donated a silver plate and 500 sovereigns.
According to Charles Faull, global expert on thoroughbred pedigrees and director of the Form Organisation, the race was originally run over two miles and on handicap terms before it settled into its current format of weight-for-age over a mile (1 600 metres). It was first raced this way at Kenilworth Race Course in October 1948 and has now distinguished itself as a sophisticated meeting of racing excellence, matched by the style and grace worthy of such a prestigious event. It brings the country’s finest thoroughbred horses onto centre stage and surrounds them with haute couture, vintage cars and fine wines. ‘It’s the most important, defining race in our racing year, run at a time when horses are at their peak,’ says Charles.
The current champion of the Queen’s Plate is Pocket Power, who has won it a record four consecutive times and will attempt an unprecedented fifth win at the 2011 event. Significantly, Pocket Power was sired by Jetmaster, himself a double Queen’s Plate winner. ‘It’s a feather in the cap for the South African stud book,’ says Faull. ‘The Queen’s Plate is without a doubt the most prestigious weight-for-age race on the South African calendar, with a meritorious honour roll. To win it once is difficult; to win it two or more times is remarkable. Unlike handicap races in which lesser horses are given the chance to beat better horses, it is always an outstanding horse that wins the Queen’s Plate. Weight-for-age races are the purest form of racing and define the best horses around. I like to think of it as the Currie Cup of horse racing and the pinnacle defining race. If you take the average merit rating of the horses that have filled the first four places in the Queen’s Plate, it would be considerably higher than any other race in the country. No other race held here is technically in the same league. This is the 62nd running of it since 1948, apart from a year when it was cancelled because of equine flu.’
Interestingly, between 1877 and 1882 Riley won the race four times, but over a different distance and not consecutively. So Pocket Power’s dominance of the race for four consecutive years has earned him his place as one of South Africa’s greats. This year, his bid to set the record by winning five successive titles is a fitting tribute to what is probably Pocket Power’s last season and his final running of the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate.
MOST GLAMOROUS FASHION EVENT
As one of the most stylish events on the Cape Town calendar, everyone will enjoy dressing in blue and white to the ‘Timeless Elegance’ theme, for which prizes will be aptly awarded for the ‘Best Dressed’ and ‘Best Hat’. UK-based Tatler magazine will be in attendance to capture the style highlights and the who’s who of this exclusive event, and it’s likely that many of SA’s most elegant women will be wearing the work of talented local designers such as Stefania Morland and Malcolm Klûk, who previously dressed Michelle McLean. ‘The great thing about the day is how sophisticated it is in comparison to the other big races’ Malcolm says.
SPECIAL VIEWING OF VINTAGE CLASSICS
Admirers of further rare beauty will enjoy the classic vintage cars on display courtesy of the Franschhoek Motor Museum on L’Ormarins Wine Estate. Extending the blue-and-white theme will be traditional displays of veteran, vintage and classic cars from the Franschhoek Motor Museum specially selected based on their colour, and for the flair and glamour they will bring to the event. Some of the vehicle collection will be participating in an exciting new event set to rival the famous Mille Miglia and Tour Auto as they take on some of the most spectacular roads in the Cape in the ‘Lormarins 1200’, October 2011.
RELAX IN STYLE
The L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate creates an atmosphere of luxury, and in the exclusive style lounges, guests are accommodated in comfort and opulence in a variety of marquees. VIP guests can enjoy the ambience of the Style Lounge in the privacy of their own area. This year, Café Caprice will bring its own blend of Cape Town chic, along with elegant wines from L’Ormarins, to a dedicated venue. Viewing areas for an uninterrupted outlook of the winning horse romping home will be available. Later, as the sun dips behind the mountain and the last race is run, some of the country’s best musicians will take to the stage to entertain the crowds till late. Style Lounge tickets are available for those 18 and older. Food and drinks are not included in the Style Lounge Village Pass. Style Lounge tickets available now from www computicket.co.za.
The L’Ormarins private luncheon, in honour of special guests who have flown out especially from the UK for the event, is by invitation only and is expected to be the event of the season. VIPs will also have access to the Stud Club. VIP inquiries should be directed to jono@snaithracing.com. This year, the exclusive charity selected for the event is the Montrose Foundation, known for its support of the Montrose Foundation Equine Assisted Youth at Risk Development Programme, in which horses offer an effective method of therapy and a healing process for human beings, especially disadvantaged youth with substance abuse problems.
‘In keeping with the history of this day and celebrating the royal theme throughout, the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate will be nothing other than haute couture, delicious food and fine wine, stimulating entertainment and, of course, noble thoroughbreds,’ says Kate Salt, spokesperson for the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate.
The 150th L’Ormarin’s Queen’s Plate officially commences at 11h00.
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