King's Plate (South Africa)
The King's Plate (known as the Queen's Plate during the reigns of Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth II) is an annual Grade I horse race at Kenilworth Racecourse in Cape Town, South Africa that has been run since 1861, and is one of South Africa's premier horse races.[1] Currently sponsored by the South African vintner L'Ormarins, it was branded the L'Ormarins Queen's Plate from 2005 to 2022,[2] and the L'Ormarins King's Plate since 2022. Traditionally named in honour of the British monarch, it reverted to the "King's Plate" name as a result of the accession of King Charles III in September 2022.[1][3][4]
The race was first run, as the Queen's Plate, in April 1861 in honour of Queen Victoria after she donated a silver plate and 500 sovereigns to the South African Turf Club.[5]
The winner of the race earns a berth in the Breeders' Cup Mile.[citation needed]
It is customary for the British high commissioner to South Africa to attend the race and read out a message of good wishes from the British monarch.[4]
See also
References
- ^ a b "Queen Elizabeth II's death signals name change for l'Ormarins Queen's Plate".
- ^ "L'Ormarin's Queen's Plate: A Blue and White Day at the Races".
- ^ "L'Ormarins Queen's Plate becomes l'Ormarins King's Plate". 14 September 2022.
- ^ a b "New King served up on a Plate at Kenilworth". 15 September 2022.
- ^ "L'Ormarins King's Plate". L'Ormarins King's Plate. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
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