Equus 2023- Charles Leads Premier Log
Despite finishing second in February’s only Class 1 event, the Gr1 SplashOut Derby, Charles Dickens took the lead in the quest for the 2023 Equus Horse of the Year.
His closest rival Jet Dark is now retired, giving Charles Dickens an opportunity to build on his points tally and lead for the remainder of the season.
Charles Dickens – keeping his lead at the top (Image – Chase Liebenberg)
The only other contender to increase his points tally in February was leading sprinter Gimme A Prince, who finished second in the Grade 2 Khaya Stables Diadem Stakes and took his tally to 66 points.
Charles Dickens leads the Equus Horse of the Year table with 80 points, followed by Jet Dark (70), Gimme A Prince (66), Make It Snappy (64), Puerto Manzano (50), and Al Muthana and Desert Miracle with 48 points.
Racing action will focus on the Highveld over the next two months, with horses competing in the Highveld Autumn Season likely to make big strides up the points tables for each category.
Champion three-year-old colt
Charles Dickens (80 points) consolidated his position at the top of the three-year-old colt’s log, while Class 1 SplashOut Cape Derby winner See It Again jumped to second place on the log with 32 points.
Cousin Casey (32 points – joint runner-up) was out of action in February, while At My Command (26) and Royal Victory (18) increased their points and position in the log.
Champion three year old filly
Despite not racing in February, Make It Snappy (64 points) maintains control at the top of the Champion Three-Year-Old Filly table.
Ciao Bella (32) remains in second place despite not having raced in February, while Gimme A Shot (22) remains in third place despite not scoring in the Grade 2 Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas. The top two in this race, Lady Of Power (16) and Feather Boa (16), complete the table.
Senior Male and Female Champion
Gimme A Prince (66 points – second) and Trip Of Fortune (39 points – fifth) improved their positions on the senior men’s champion table in February. Jet Dark (70 points) remains at the top of the table, with Puerto Manzano (50) and Al Muthana (48) completing the table.
Only Captain’s Ransom (36 points) added to her points tally in the Champion Older Female category in February, but it wasn’t enough to displace leader Desert Miracle (46 points). Princess Calla (32), Humdinger (16) and Silver Darling (14) complete the table.
distance categories
Gimme A Prince (66 points) extended his lead in the Champion Sprinter category. Princess Calla (32) remains in second place, newcomer Bereave (24), Rio Querari (20) and Stiptelik (12) make up the table.
There was no change at the champion miler table with Al Muthana (48 points) at the top ahead of Desert Miracle (40), Trip Of Fortune (34), Charles Dickens (24) and Jet Dark (22).
The Champion Middle Distance category also remains unchanged with Jet Dark (48 points) ahead of Puerto Manzano (42), Make It Snappy (32), Nexus (32) and Kommetdieding (24).
With no permanent events taking place in February, the Champion Stayers table remains unchanged with Salvator Mundi (23 points) at the top ahead of Arumugam (12), Nebraas (10), Senso Unico (10) and Chrome Yellow (10).
Equus Awards 2023 – Points Tables through February 28, 2023
| horse of the year | Old | sex | Points |
| CHARLES DICKENS (SAF) | 3 | C | 80 |
| JETDARK (SAF) | 5 | H | 70 |
| GIMME A PRINCE (SAF) | 4 | G | 66 |
| MAKE IT FAST (SAF) | 3 | f | 64 |
| PUERTO MANZANO (ARG) | 5 | G | 50 |
| AL MUTHANA (AUS) | 5 | G | 48 |
| DESERT MIRACLE (SAF) | 4 | f | 46 |
| Champion three year old male | Old | sex | Points |
| CHARLES DICKENS (SAF) | 3 | C | 80 |
| SEE IT AGAIN (SAF) | 3 | C | 32 |
| COUSIN CASEY (SAF) | 3 | C | 32 |
| ON MY ORDER (SAF) | 3 | C | 26 |
| ROYAL VICTORY (SAF) | 3 | G | 18 |
| Champion three year old bitch | Old | sex | Points |
| MAKE IT FAST (SAF) | 3 | f | 64 |
| CIAO BELLA (SAF) | 3 | f | 32 |
| GIVE A SHOT (SAF) | 3 | f | 22 |
| LADY OF POWER (SAF) | 3 | f | 16 |
| FEATHER BOA (SAF) | 3 | f | 16 |
| Older Male Champion | Old | sex | Points |
| JETDARK (SAF) | 5 | H | 70 |
| GIMME A PRINCE (SAF) | 4 | G | 66 |
| PUERTO MANZANO (ARG) | 5 | G | 50 |
| AL MUTHANA (AUS) | 5 | G | 48 |
| HAPPINESS JOURNEY (SAF) | 4 | G | 39 |
| Champion older bitch | Old | sex | Points |
| DESERT MIRACLE (SAF) | 4 | f | 46 |
| Captain’s Ransom (SAF) | 5 | M | 36 |
| PRINCESS CALLA (SAF) | 5 | M | 32 |
| HUMDINGER (SAF) | 4 | f | 16 |
| SILVER FAVORITE (SAF) | 5 | M | 14 |
| champion in the sprinter | Old | sex | Points |
| GIMME A PRINCE (SAF) | 4 | G | 66 |
| PRINCESS CALLA (SAF) | 5 | M | 32 |
| grieving (SAF) | 5 | G | 24 |
| RIO QUERARI (SAF) | 6 | G | 20 |
| STIPTELIK (OFF) | 4 | f | 12 |
| Champion Miler | Old | sex | Points |
| AL MUTHANA (AUS) | 5 | G | 48 |
| DESERT MIRACLE (SAF) | 4 | f | 40 |
| HAPPINESS JOURNEY (SAF) | 4 | G | 34 |
| CHARLES DICKENS (SAF) | 3 | C | 24 |
| JETDARK (SAF) | 5 | H | 22 |
| Master middle distance | Old | sex | Points |
| JETDARK (SAF) | 5 | H | 48 |
| PUERTO MANZANO (ARG) | 5 | G | 42 |
| MAKE IT FAST (SAF) | 3 | f | 32 |
| NEXUS (SAF) | 7 | G | 32 |
| COME THING (SAF) | 5 | H | 24 |
| Champion stayer | Old | sex | Points |
| SALVATOR MUNDI (SAF) | 5 | G | 23 |
| ARUMUGAM (SAF) | 4 | G | 12 |
| CROME YELLOW (SAF) | 8th | G | 10 |
| NEBRAS (SAF) | 6 | G | 10 |
| SENSO UNICO (SAF) | 4 | G | 10 |
