Fourteen of South Africa’s leading milers and middle-distance thoroughbreds will line up for the 165th renewal of the L’Ormarins King’s Plate over 1 600m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday, 10 January.
The race, scheduled as the eighth on the card, is due to start at 16:45.
Eight of the runners are already Grade 1 winners, underlining the depth of the field contesting one of the country’s most historic races, first run in 1861.
Leading contenders
Eight On Eighteen (129) and Dave The King (128) top the official ratings.
Eight On Eighteen returns after a six-month absence following illness after finishing second in the 2025 Hollywoodbets Durban July. While proven at middle distances, questions remain about fitness and whether the shorter mile trip will suit after a disrupted preparation.
Dave The King, a prominent runner, won the Ridgemont Green Point Stakes (Grade 2) but showed signs of vulnerability late, recording a slow final sectional. He could be exposed if involved in an early pace battle, particularly with Legal Counsel.
Three-year-old challenge
Stablemate Jan Van Goyen, a three-year-old, attempts to beat older rivals after a convincing win in the Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas (Grade 1) over this course and distance.
His low draw and projected stalking run position could work in his favour.
Other notable runners
Sail The Seas enters with solid form, having previously beaten Eight On Eighteen over this distance at level weights. He finished less than a length behind Dave The King last time out and is expected to enjoy a favourable run from draw five.
The Real Prince, winner of the 2025 Durban July, showed improvement when running on from the rear in the Green Point Stakes. Trainer Dean Kannemeyer said the gelding has benefited from recent work and is expected to be competitive.
Garrix produced a strong late surge in the Green Point Stakes to finish narrowly behind Dave The King, having come from last position. Trainer Elbert Steyn said the horse has been specifically prepared for this race.
See It Again, a multiple Grade 1 winner, also closed strongly in his most recent outing but has been inconsistent at the start and is generally more effective over longer distances.
Gladatorian brings consistent form, with 11 wins from 29 starts, and his performances link closely with several leading contenders.
Jet Force, ridden by Grant van Niekerk, finished strongly despite an interrupted run last time and could feature late.
Trainer Alec Laird said Fire Attack has recovered well after earlier health issues, though his main target remains the World Sports Betting Cape Town Met (Grade 1).
Cosmic Speed, drawn wide, faces a challenging task but retains place prospects, while Sugar Mountain is regarded as honest but faces a significant class rise.
Latest odds
The latest available Hollywoodbets odds show Jan Van Goyen is the favourite at 2/1.
Next best is Eight On Eighteen at 5/1, followed by The Real Prince (11/2) and See It Again at 6/1.
Sail The Seas, Dave The King and Garrix are all available at 25/2.
Click here for the latest available Hollywoodbets odds
Prediction
- Garrix
- Sail The Seas
- Jan Van Goyen
- The Real Prince
The R3 million prize pool will be distributed as follows:
| Position | Prize |
| 1 | R1 781 250 |
| 2 | R570 000 |
| 3 | R285 000 |
| 4 | R142 500 |
| 5 | R71 250 |
| RaceCoast Incentive Scheme | R150 000 |
| TOTAL | R3 000 000 |
Click here for the full 10-race card
L’Ormarins King’s Plate field
| Number | Horse | Weight | Merit rating | Jockey | Trainer |
| 1 | Dave The King | 60 | 128 | Ryan Munger | Mike / Mathew de Kock |
| 2 | Jan Van Goyen | 55 | 118 | Callan Murray | Mike / Mathew de Kock |
| 3 | Sugar Mountain | 60 | 123 | Aldo Domeyer | Candice Bass |
| 4 | Questioning | 60 | 123 | Richard Fourie | Vaughan Marshall |
| 5 | Sail The Seas | 60 | 127 | Muzi Yeni | Justin Snaith |
| 6 | The Real Prince | 60 | 126 | Craig Zackey | Dean Kannemeyer |
| 7 | Eight On Eighteen | 60 | 129 | Oisin Murphy | Justin Snaith |
| 8 | Garrix | 60 | 123 | S’manga Khumalo | Piet / Elbert Steyn |
| 9 | Gladatorian | 60 | 127 | Sean Veale | Stuart Ferrie |
| 10 | See It Again | 60 | 125 | Andrew Fortune | Justin Snaith |
| 11 | Legal Counsel | 60 | 113 | Chad Little | Justin Snaith |
| 12 | Jet Force | 60 | 120 | Grant van Niekerk | Des A McLachlan |
| 13 | Fire Attack | 60 | 126 | Calvin Habib | Alec Laird |
| 14 | Cosmic Speed | 60 | 125 | Gavin Lerena | Sean Tarry |
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