Van Zyl and de Melo get major gongs at KZN Racing Awards
Champion trainer Gareth van Zyl and champion jockey Keagan de Melo headlined the human honours at the 2026 KZN Racing Awards on Friday night, while Tienie Prinsloo’s outstanding filly Quickstepgal capped a remarkable campaign by being named Horse of the Season.
The awards were presented during the second meeting of the new Lucky Fish Friday Night Racing season at Greyville, celebrating the leading performers from the 2025-26 campaign in the first full season under the Race Coast banner following the merger of Gold Circle’s KwaZulu-Natal operations with Cape Racing.
Van Zyl secured the Champion Trainer title for a second consecutive season after another consistent campaign, while De Melo was crowned Champion Jockey as he continues to rebuild momentum following his return from Hong Kong racing. The former South African champion has made a flying start to the new season and shapes as a leading contender for another national jockeys’ title.
One of the night’s most popular winners was rising talent Damyan Pillay, who was recognised as Champion Apprentice after an impressive breakthrough season.
The equine awards were dominated by KwaZulu-Natal-based trainers, with Tienie Prinsloo, Louis Goosen, Duncan Howells and Frank Robinson accounting for all but two of the major horse categories.
Prinsloo enjoyed the standout evening after Quickstepgal was named Horse of the Season and Champion Three-Year-Old. The daughter of Vercingetorix completed a dream campaign that included victories in the Grade 2 Tibouchina Stakes, Grade 1 Garden Province Stakes and the Grade 1 Cape Fillies Guineas, providing the Summerveld trainer with the first elite-level success of his career.
Quickstepgal’s regular groom, Moses Tlali, was also recognised for his contribution, receiving the Groom of the Year award.
Louis Goosen was rewarded for another milestone season as Erik Dubois claimed Champion Two-Year-Old Colt/Gelding honours after delivering the veteran trainer’s long-awaited first Grade 1 victory in the Champion Stakes.
Duncan Howells’ outstanding mare Asiye Phambili completed a double by retaining her Champion Sprinter title while also being named Champion Older Female following another stellar campaign highlighted by victory in the Grade 1 SA Fillies Sprint.
Veteran conditioner Frank Robinson also celebrated success after Mocha Blend, winner of the 2025 Betway Summer Cup, was crowned Champion Middle Distance horse.
The only visiting stable to feature among the major equine awards belonged to Glen Kotzen, whose durable stayer Holding Thumbs collected both the Champion Older Male and Champion Stayer titles after his victory in last season’s World Pool Gold Cup.
Hollywood Racing retained the Champion Owners title, while Varsfontein Stud was recognised as Champion Breeders following another outstanding year producing elite performers.
2026 KZN Racing Awards winners
- Horse of the Season: Quickstepgal
- Champion Trainer: Gareth van Zyl
- Champion Jockey: Keagan de Melo
- Champion Apprentice: Damyan Pillay
- Champion Two-Year-Old Colt/Gelding: Erik Dubois
- Champion Two-Year-Old Filly: Palace of Arvernia
- Champion Three-Year-Old: Quickstepgal
- Champion Sprinter: Asiye Phambili
- Champion Middle Distance: Mocha Blend
- Champion Stayer: Holding Thumbs
- Champion Older Female: Asiye Phambili
- Champion Older Male: Holding Thumbs
- Champion Owners: Hollywood Racing
- Champion Breeders: Varsfontein Stud
- Groom of the Year: Moses Tlali
