Make that a tail of two cities
● The running of the 163rd L’Ormarins King’s Plate saw Cape Town’s racing and fashion enthusiasts rub shoulders yesterday at Kenilworth Racecourse.
Guests wore the traditional blue and white dress code for the event in outfits from contemporary and minimal to eye-catching and glamorous.
The event has long been one of the most chic sporting occasions on the calendar. In the grand tradition of legendary races such as Royal Ascot, the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood and the Kentucky Derby, it celebrates sartorial style and elevates daytime dressing to an art.
The best-dressed competition is always an eagerly anticipated part of the day.
This year the judging panel included two of the country’s lauded fashion talents — designers
Sindiso Khumalo and Thebe Magugu, dressed, as always, for the occasion.
Khumalo, Magugu and fellow judge Sumendra Chetty, from Cape Town boutique Merchants on Long, circulated throughout the day, scouting for the top candidates in three categories — best-dressed woman, bestdressed man and best hat/fascinator.
The winners were Patricia Dolz, Daniel Chiwara and Tosca Griffin, who was wearing a piece by Lyndon Miller-Pegs of Millerner.
“People came to be seen,” said Chetty. “The men in particular have surprised me with some really avant-garde ensembles. Even the everyday casual looks have been excellent. And the ladies ranged from pageant-level dresses to traditional lunch party looks. This year has really been a feast for the eye.”
As well as the bragging rights of being chosen by some of South Africa’s most stylish fashion experts, the winners walked away with prizes (for first, second and third place in each category) that ranged from a trip to Goodwood in the UK to luxury fashion and lifestyle items, including accessories from Cartier and Okapi and bubbly from L’Ormarins.
Dolz was the lucky winner of a trip for two to London to attend the Qatar Goodwood Festival in July, known as “Glorious Goodwood”.
And on the track, four-year-old Charles Dickens from Drakenstein Stud, ridden by Aldo Domeyer, won the R2m L’Ormarins King’s Plate race at odds of 14-10.
Owner Gaynor Rupert called it the highlight of her racing career. “To quote Charles Dickens himself, it has been the best of times and the worst of times. It is also the first time Drakenstein has won the L’Ormarins Kings Plate race in the 20 years we have been sponsoring the event,” she said.
Another first — and winning the second running of the Okapi Ladies Race — was Savanna Valjalo, riding Gravity, trained by Justin Snaith. Valjalo, better known in showjumping circles, is new to racing.