Vindication or Justification?

I had my weekly flight to JHB this morning and as is my custom I buy the Mercury and start reading when i am on the plane and wait for coffee to come around.

So, straight to racing section to see how my PA at Greyville did yesterday as i was playing golf at Royal which ended late after many whisky's.

I read with interest the article on Majmu and then came across the comment "vindicated her award of champion 2yr old".......... WHAT TWAK

If journalists want to comment about vindication then at least tell the whole story. Now don't get me wrong i think Majmu is a machine but there is no way anyone can justify giving TWO YEAR OLD CHAMPION to any horse that does not win a GRADE 1. It is an award for two year old's not THREE year old's and if a journo wants to suck up to the connections then phone them don't vomit it out in your article as "vindication" when it could only be justification..... Majmu did not win a Grade 1 as a two year old.

Some of the best horses in history have been injured and had their careers cut short but they do not get awarded "Champion" for not racing no matter how good they could have been.

But then again i am talking about the South African Equus awards where even a Whippet could win with the right connections and it wouldn't be questioned.

What grade was the race Majmu won on Saturday ?

Impressive win but you wouldn't say she beat superstars

There have been horses beaten in lesser races in the season in previous years and then win the award because of a victory in a Gr1. I agree with TigerShark this horse should never have won the award last year and got it 100% because of her connections. Would she have won it coming from the Barend Botes stable as an example? I think not

Question begs then, which horse should have won it?

Be interesting to hear the opinions.

Majmu will earn her Equus award this year...

Interestingly, I took Siren's Call to place on Saturday so followed the horse the entire race...will win quite a few races and a few minor features...

Champion

Just looking at the LBH on the 1400m on Saturday you can see what a smart bunch of 3 year old fillies we have. Majmu's time was over 4,5L quicker than that of Harry's Son and nearly 10L quicker than Rich Girl's time, although Marcus paced the latter's pace perfectly to suit him.

I will follow the top 3 year old fillies all the way this year.

TN, the Two Year Old award is not about earning it when the horse is three or Legislate should have been champion two year old colt the year before.......

The point is simple, we have champion two year old awards, how can champion be awarded to any horse that does not win a grade 1 in the season of measurement???? Or do we give awards then wait to "vindicate" them in the three year old season.

For the record the only two fillies in my opinion that should have qualified for the award was Carry on Alice & Same Jurisdiction.

Tigershark wrote: TN, the Two Year Old award is not about earning it when the horse is three or Legislate should have been champion two year old colt the year before.......

The point is simple, we have champion two year old awards, how can champion be awarded to any horse that does not win a grade 1 in the season of measurement???? Or do we give awards then wait to "vindicate" them in the three year old season.

For the record the only two fillies in my opinion that should have qualified for the award was Carry on Alice & Same Jurisdiction.

Regardless of the fact that I think MAJMU is a sensational horse your points are valid - The easiest way to solve this problem is a point system for the various graded races in South Africa - I do think the Nursery should carry GR 1 status as the Colts(open) version does. Rather make both GR 1 and restrict the fillies to their own race. A subjective award of this nature has no place in a pastime that uses MR and weight scales on a daily basis- No argument if horse a is on 100 point and horse b 30 points

Tigershark wrote: TN, the Two Year Old award is not about earning it when the horse is three or Legislate should have been champion two year old colt the year before.......

The point is simple, we have champion two year old awards, how can champion be awarded to any horse that does not win a grade 1 in the season of measurement???? Or do we give awards then wait to "vindicate" them in the three year old season.

For the record the only two fillies in my opinion that should have qualified for the award was Carry on Alice & Same Jurisdiction.

@Tigershark...apologies for not being clear...I do not dispute that Majmu did not deserve Two Year Old award as she didn't win a Grade 1...

She will earn award as Three Year Old by being the top 3 year old filly...

Tigershark wrote: TN, the Two Year Old award is not about earning it when the horse is three or Legislate should have been champion two year old colt the year before.......

The point is simple, we have champion two year old awards, how can champion be awarded to any horse that does not win a grade 1 in the season of measurement???? Or do we give awards then wait to "vindicate" them in the three year old season.

For the record the only two fillies in my opinion that should have qualified for the award was Carry on Alice & Same Jurisdiction.

.....well said, I was puzzled that Carry on Alice & Same Jurisdiction were over looked for the award....

In the past a panel sat down and debated the merits of each nominee,this year they wanted to make it fair so each panelist voted in secret and sent their vote into auditors who tallied up the votes.You are completely correct in saying that she should not have got the award as there were group one candidates nominated and in saying that I don't believe she should have been nominated at all.