Jackie Gray
The day of the Sansui Summer Cup dawned bright and clear. Held at Turffontein Racecourse in Johannesburg, the race is the city’s oldest first-grade horse race and is now widely considered one of the most prestigious events on the racing and social calendar.
The race was first run in 1887, a year after the dusty mining camp that was to become Johannesburg sprang up. Sansui first sponsored the event in 2009. It has since grown in stature thanks in part to a massive winning stake of R2 million.
Twelve races were arranged to take place throughout the day with the main race earmarked to take place at 4.50pm. Prior to the first race at 12.30pm, some of South Africa’s most notable personages and celebrities turned out in their finest to see and be seen. Celebrities included, amongst others, Jen Su, Melinda Bam, Genaro Bonafede, Nicole Da Silva, Nick Bester, Shasi Naidoo, Kanyi Mbau, Mika Stefano, Gerry Elsdon and Azania Mosaka who was introduced as the first ever ‘Face of the Sansui Summer Cup.’
Fascinators, feathers, designer shoes and manicured ‘mo’s’ were the order of the day. Many of the ladies in attendance wore bright tropical colours in line with the cup’s theme ‘colour to conquer’. Prizes were later awarded to the day’s Best Dressed Woman, Best Dressed Man, Most Stylish Couple, the Most Striking Hat and Best Mo.
The horses put on a fine performance too. Turffontein’s emerald green track was in top condition which enabled the horses to set a blistering pace. As the clock ticked towards the main race, the tension in the crowds grew and betting reached a fever pitch. Finally, the horses took their places in the gates and were released. Needless to say the competition was fierce and the thoroughbreds ate up the track in no time at all. All too soon, the race was over with a stunning win by ‘Yorker’ followed by ‘Master Sabina’, ‘Tellina’, ‘Royal Zulu Warrior’ and ‘Killua Castle’. Interestingly, all but Royal Zulu Warrior belonged to the Woodruff stable.
In addition to the races a number of side events were held throughout the day. Celebs in attendance ran a celebrity charity ‘dash’ in aid of the Rainbows and Smiles Foundation, a non-profit organisation which provides support to families and caregivers of children diagnosed with cancer. Genaro Bonafede won the dash in fine style. Two fashion shows held in association with DSSA & Steele Models Studio took place and a cheeky ‘Mo-Kini’ Sprint was run by some of SA’s hottest men in a bid to raise awareness for Movember SA.
The Sansui Summer Cup made for a memorable day out. The atmosphere was electric, the music, courtesy of MTV Base in association with Bain’s Cape Mountain Whiskey, was appropriately chic and the people and horses put on a great show. Definitely an event worth diarising for next year.
