The South African Jockey Academy Awards Day was held in the Summerveld Clubhouse on Friday in another memorable year for the academy. Possibly the world greatest school for Jockeys has produced another stellar group of youngsters as is detailed in the awards list. The list of achievements headlined by Denis Schwartz's win in the Summer Cup, the second time in a row an apprentice won the race. 

The headline speech was given by Nic Jonsson, a big owner in the game. 

List of 2019 Award, Trophy and Prize Winners

RIDING AWARDS: 2019

The Robbie Thompson Award

This award is split into two categories, firstly a gift voucher for racing equipment to the value of R2500.00, sponsored by Robbie T Horseracing, is awarded to an apprentice who has displayed courtesy and excellent manners throughout the year.

This year the award goes to Yuzae Ramzan

Secondly, there is an additional award in the memory of the late Alec Forbes, Robbie T Horseracing is awarding a type of racing saddle, which Alec preferred to race with, to an apprentice who has displayed courtesy and excellent manners throughout the year.

This year the award goes to Gabriell Pieterse.

The South African Jockey Academy Ambassador Trophy

This trophy is awarded to an apprentice who represents the Academy nationally and internationally in a positive and professional manner.

The award goes to Denis Schwarz.

The Lindsay Family Floating Trophy

It is awarded to a first year Apprentice who has shown the most riding progress during the year.

This year the award goes to Philasande Mxoli.

The Happy Chimes Trophy

It is awarded to a second year Apprentice who has shown the most riding progress during the year.

This year the award goes to Mfanelo Zuma.

The Bennie Norton Trophy

It is awarded to an apprentice in his third year, who does not have the advantages of coming from a horse racing family, and who has achieved success against all odds.

The award goes to Nathan Klink.

The Oric Pretorious Trophy for Esprit d’corps

This floating trophy is presented to an apprentice who has demonstrated good fellowship.

The award goes to Mfanelo Zuma.

The Ronald Khumalo Prize

It is awarded to an apprentice for who shows constant positive attitude towards owners, trainers and their peers.

This special prize goes to Jabu Jacobs.

Headmaster’s Award
This is an award given at the discretion of the headmaster.

This year the award goes to Denis Schwarz.
________________________________________________

MAJOR RIDING AWARDS

“Are You Happy Boy” Trophy

It is awarded to the first year Apprentice that best embodies the following values:

Dedication
Discipline
Enthusiasm
Hard Work
Humbleness
Impeccable Manners
Respect
Passion
Willingness to Learn

This year the award goes to Sphesihle Wiseman Njokwe.

McDonald Trophy

It is awarded annually to a 3rd to 5th year apprentice resident in KwaZulu Natal.

Factors taken into account when deciding on this award are:

Jockeyship
Courtesy
Horsemanship
Co-operation
Integrity
Personality
Striving to avoid infraction of racing rules

This year the award goes to Luke Ferraris.

TEAM AWARD: 2019

Vinay Harry Inter-House Trophy

The Academy has an Inter-House Challenge, that tallies points for Academics, Race Riding, Sporting Activities and Special Events. This year the award goes to Lambert House.
________________________________________________________

WELL-BEING AWARDS: 2019

Justin Bircher Most Improved Athlete Trophy

It is awarded to an Apprentice who has improved the most throughout the year.

This year the award goes to Hendrik Lombard.

Justin Bircher Athlete of the Year Trophy
It is awarded to an Apprentice who has produced the highest ranking scores throughout the year.

This year the award goes to Thabiso Gumede.
________________________________________________________

The Keri Strachan Excellence in Nutrition and Weight Award

Is awarded to the apprentice that complies with the Academy nutrition programme and is committed to their individual nutrition strategy in order to maintain their ideal body weight, and the apprentice that consistently achieves their goal weight, with healthy body fat, within a tight margin.

This year the award goes to Gabriell Pieterse.
________________________________________________

ACADEMIC AWARDS: 2019

EQASA EXAMS

The Greg Holme Trophy

This trophy is awarded to an Apprentice in Grade 10 who achieved the highest results in the EQASA Exams.

This year the award goes to Mthobisi Meyiwa.

The Elizabeth Jonsson Trophy

This trophy is awarded to an Apprentice in Grade 11 who achieved the highest results in the EQASA Exams.

This year the award goes to Kaidan Brewer.

GRADE 10

Hendrik Lombard is awarded:

The Racing and Equestrian Floating Trophy
This trophy is awarded to an apprentice that achieves the highest aggregate in Grade 10.

GRADE 11

Kaidan Brewer is awarded:

The Racing and Equestrian Floating Trophy
This trophy is awarded to an apprentice that achieves the highest aggregate in Grade 11.

POST MATRIC

The Amanda Jonsson Trophy

This trophy is awarded to a Post Matric Apprentice who achieved the highest results in the EQASA Exams.

This year the award goes to Erin-Lee Watkinson.

MAJOR ACADEMIC AWARDS

The Nicky Armstrong Proxime Accessit Trophy

This trophy is awarded to an apprentice who achieves the 2nd highest academic results in Grade 12.

The Proxime Accessit for 2019 is Luke Ferraris.

The Nicky Armstrong Dux Trophy

This trophy is awarded to an apprentice who achieves the highest academic results in Grade 12.

The Dux for 2019 is Yuzae Ramzan.