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Races · Classics · South AfricaSouth AfricaTurffontein

South African Classic

Group 1
Turffontein1,800 m30 runnings since 1997
Latest winner
Grand Empire
Latest running
2026
Conditions
3-year-old colts & fillies
Winning time 2026

South African Classic in numbers All records

Record trainer7

Mike de Kock

Mike de Kock has won the South African Classic 7 times since 1950, the last with Malmoos in 2021.

Profile
Record jockey4

J Lloyd

J Lloyd has won the South African Classic 4 times since 1950, the last with Divine Jury in 2007.

Profile
Biggest shock40/1

Kings Gambit, 2008

The longest-priced winner of the South African Classic since 1988, ridden by G Lerena and trained by L Wiid.

To the winners

Winner 2026 All winners

South African Classic · 2026

Grand Empire

by Vercingetorix out of Palace of Dreams

CZJockeyC Zackey
STTrainerSG Tarry
Owner
Breeder
Time–
Starting price11/2
SireVercingetorix

Roll of honour & comparison

Explore the winners by period and compare who dominated.

Jockey rankingTrainer ranking

Periods count back from 2026. Records, rankings and the winners list below follow the selected period. Data since 1950.

All winners 30 runnings since 1997

YearHorseTrainerJockeyOwnerSPTime
2026Grand Empireby Vercingetorix out of Palace of DreamsSG TarryC Zackey11/2
2025Confederateby Fire Away out of AcquavellaF HabibC Zackey8/1
2024Purple Pitcherby New Predator out of HelianthaR KlaasenK Matsunyane10/1
2023Anfields Rocketby Coup de Grace out of Milla's RocketG MarounR Danielson17/2
2022Red Saxonby Red Ray out of Rodeo SiouxJA SomaJ Mariba25/1
2021Malmoosby Captain Al out of JustthewayyouareMike de KockL J Ferraris5/2
2020Got the Greenlightby Gimmethegreenlight out of Command ChiJA SomaB R Fayd'Herbe14/1
2019Hawwaamby Silvano out of Halfway To HeavenMike de KockG Lerena11/10
2018Lobo's Legendby Trippi out of Gone WildJA SomaM Yeni33/1
2017Heavenly Blueby Snitzel out of Simply CarinaMike de KockC Murray2/1
2016Abashiriby Go Deputy out of DonyaMG AzzieK Zechner6/10
2015French Navyby Count Dubois out of RedoubtableSG TarryR Danielson8/1
2014Louis the Kingby Black Minnaloushe out of PamushanaGV WoodruffR Fradd8/10
2013Love Struckby Kahal out of Particular PassionPV LaffertyS Cormack22/1
2012Slumdogmillionaireby Strike Smartly out of Make A MillionG v ZylM Mienie7/2
2011English Gardenby Camden Park out of Royal HabitMW BassK Neisius16/1
2010Pierre Jourdanby Parade Leader out of Vin FizzGM AlexanderD DavidEvens
2009Forest Pathby Fort Wood out of Money TrailMike de KockR Danielson13/2
2008Kings Gambitby Silvano out of Lady BromptonL WiidG Lerena40/1
2007Divine Juryby Jallad out of Divine NymphWH MarwingJ Lloyd9/2
2006Hunting Towerby Fort Wood out of Stirrup CupCS LairdA Marcus2/1
2005Jam Alleyby Peintre Celebre out of Lyphard StreetSD GrayJ Lloyd11/2
2004Greys Innby Zabeel out of Great Verdict FRMike de KockK Shea33/10
2003Surveyorby Western Winter out of Crescent FieldsDE FerrarisA Delpech8/10
2002Key of Destinyby Qui Danzig out of Twist of FateCRC LeeJ Lloyd10/1
2001Badger's Driftby Badger Land out of ON THE ROOFGV WoodruffB Smith9/2
2000Glamour Boy5/1
1999Horse Chestnutby Fort Wood out of London WallMike de KockW Marwing1/5
1998Classic Flagby Allied Flag out of Summer ClassicDE FerrarisA Delpech28/10
1997Patchouli Dancerby Mistral Dancer out of PerfumeryMike de KockJ Lloyd6/1

Records Full rankings

Most successful trainer
Mike de Kock
4 wins
Last 20 years · 2007–2026
Most successful jockey
R Danielson
3 wins
Last 20 years · 2007–2026
Most successful owner
Last 20 years · 2007–2026
Most successful sire
Silvano
2 wins
Last 20 years · 2007–2026

Most successful trainers

Last 20 years · 2007–2026

Most successful jockeys

Last 20 years · 2007–2026

Most successful owners

Last 20 years · 2007–2026

    Most successful breeders

    Last 20 years · 2007–2026

      Most successful sires

      Last 20 years · 2007–2026