Image by Chase Liebenberg
Here at Lucky Fish, we’re thrilled to announce our sponsorship of the National Trainer and Jockey Championships, together with an unprecedented Apprentice and Grooms Championship for the 2026-27 season. All four competitions will encompass race meetings staged in all four racing jurisdictions in South Africa.
The Lucky Fish National Trainers Championship will reward the top 10 trainers based on the total number of winners they saddled during the season, rather than the stakes earned, which determines the official ‘Champion Trainer’ title.
With the aim of encouraging trainers to raid outside their home centres, there is a proviso that trainers must have saddled a minimum number of 6 horses outside of their designated home jurisdiction. In addition, the trainer must win a race in two of the four jurisdictions to qualify (for clarity, Turffontein and the Vaal racecourses are in the same jurisdiction).
Similarly, the Lucky Fish National Jockeys Championship will reward the top 10 jockeys based on the total number of winners ridden across South Africa. To qualify, jockeys must have ridden at least 5 winners outside of their home jurisdiction.
A total prize fund of R2 million has been allocated to each championship with R1 million awarded to the champion trainer and R1 million to the champion jockey, making these the richest performance-based awards of their kind in South African racing.
R500 000 Allocated to Apprentices and Grooms
The sport's emerging stars have not been overlooked. Lucky Fish has put forward an additional R200,000 for the Apprentice Championship, with the top five apprentices sharing the prize money and the winner receiving a potentially life-changing R100,000. To qualify, apprentices must have ridden at least 1 winner in two of the four jurisdictions.
The country’s grooms will also be rewarded by Lucky Fish for their dedicated care of the equine athletes. The top thirty grooms who take charge of the most winners nationwide will share in R300 000, with the most successful groom earning the first prize of R50 000.
Vishen Naidoo, General Manager of Lucky Fish said “We believe the additional financial incentive for the participants in all four categories will elevate the competitive environment to a new level, while encouraging participants to compete across the country. We wish all the participants the very best in the pursuit of the ultimate prize. Lucky Fish is committed to giving back to racing”.
Take a look at the prize breakdowns below:
Trainers & Jockeys
| Position | Prize |
|---|---|
| Winner | R1,000,000 |
| 2nd | R300,000 |
| 3rd | R200,000 |
| 4th | R150,000 |
| 5th | R100,000 |
| 6th | R70,000 |
| 7th | R60,000 |
| 8th | R50,000 |
| 9th | R40,000 |
| 10th | R30,000 |
Apprentices
| Position | Prize |
|---|---|
| Winner | R100,000 |
| 2nd | R40,000 |
| 3rd | R30,000 |
| 4th | R20,000 |
| 5th | R10,000 |
Grooms
| Position | Prize |
|---|---|
| Winner | R50,000 |
| 2nd | R25,000 |
| 3rd | R20,000 |
| 4th | R16,000 |
| 5th | R14,000 |
| 6th | R13,000 |
| 7th | R12,500 |
| 8th | R12,000 |
| 9th | R11,500 |
| 10th | R11,000 |
| 11th | R10,500 |
| 12th | R10,000 |
| 13th | R9,500 |
| 14th | R9,000 |
| 15th | R8,500 |
| 16th | R8,000 |
| 17th | R7,500 |
| 18th | R7,000 |
| 19th | R6,500 |
| 20th | R6,000 |
| 21st | R5,500 |
| 22nd | R5,000 |
| 23rd | R4,500 |
| 24th | R4,000 |
| 25th | R3,500 |
| 26th | R3,000 |
| 27th | R2,500 |
| 28th | R2,000 |
| 29th | R1,500 |
| 30th | R1,000 |
LUCKY FISH NATIONAL TRAINERS CHAMPIONSHIP 2026/27
Terms and Conditions
1. Competition Period
1.1 The Lucky Fish National Trainers Championship ("Championship") will run for the duration of the South African 2026/27 racing season.
1.2 All race meetings conducted within the four recognised South African racing jurisdictions during the Championship period shall be included.
2. Eligibility
2.1 The Championship is open to all licensed trainers in good standing with the relevant racing authorities.
2.2 Trainers must have a designated home jurisdiction for the season.
3. Qualification Requirements
3.1 To qualify for prize money and final rankings, a trainer must:
- Saddle a minimum of six (6) runners outside their designated home jurisdiction during the Championship period; and
- Saddle at least one (1) winning horse in a minimum of two (2) of the four recognised racing jurisdictions.
3.2 For the avoidance of doubt, Turffontein and Vaal racecourses shall be deemed to fall within the same jurisdiction.
4. Championship Rankings
4.1 Rankings shall be determined by the total number of race winners saddled during the Championship period.
4.2 Stake earnings shall not be considered for Championship rankings.
4.3 In the event of a tie on winners, the trainer with the greater number of second-place finishes shall be ranked higher.
4.4 If still tied, the trainer with the greater number of third-place finishes shall be ranked higher.
4.5 Should a tie remain, the prize money shall be shared equally.
5. Prize Money
5.1 A total prize fund of R2,000,000 has been allocated to the Championship.
5.2 The Champion Trainer shall receive R1,000,000.
5.3 The balance of R1,000,000 shall be distributed amongst the remaining top nine qualified trainers as determined by Lucky Fish.
6. General
6.1 All official race results published by the racing authorities shall be final.
6.2 Lucky Fish reserves the right to verify all results and eligibility criteria.
6.3 Any changes in the trainer status, for example a creation of a partnership or a dissolution of a partnership, during the period will result in a reset of the statistics, as is applicable in terms of the NHA official statistics.
6.4 The organisers reserve the right to amend these terms where required.
LUCKY FISH NATIONAL JOCKEYS CHAMPIONSHIP 2026/27
Terms and Conditions
1. Competition Period
1.1 The Championship shall run throughout the South African 2026/27 racing season.
2. Eligibility
2.1 The Championship is open to all licensed jockeys in good standing with the relevant racing authorities.
3. Qualification Requirements
3.1 To qualify for final rankings and prize money, a jockey must ride a minimum of five (5) winners outside their designated home jurisdiction during the Championship period.
4. Championship Rankings
4.1 Rankings shall be determined by the total number of winners ridden during the Championship period.
4.2 Winners achieved in all South African racing jurisdictions shall count towards the final standings.
4.3 In the event of a tie:
- First tie-breaker: Most second-place finishes.
- Second tie-breaker: Most third-place finishes.
- Final tie-breaker: Prize money to be shared equally.
5. Prize Money
5.1 A total prize fund of R2,000,000 has been allocated to the Championship.
5.2 The Champion Jockey shall receive R1,000,000.
5.3 The remaining balance shall be paid to the remaining top nine qualified jockeys according to the official prize distribution schedule determined by Lucky Fish.
6. General
6.1 All race results declared official by the relevant racing authorities shall be final.
6.2 All eligibility requirements must be satisfied before prize money is paid.
LUCKY FISH APPRENTICE CHAMPIONSHIP 2026/27
Terms and Conditions
1. Competition Period
1.1 The Championship shall run throughout the South African 2026/27 racing season.
2. Eligibility
2.1 The Championship is open to all licensed apprentice jockeys in South Africa.
2.2 Apprentices must remain appropriately licensed during the Championship period.
2.3 Should an apprentice complete his apprenticeship during the season, winners up to that time will count for this championship. Subsequent winners will then be recognised under the Jockey Championship.
3. Qualification Requirements
3.1 To qualify for prize money, an apprentice must ride at least one (1) winner in a minimum of two (2) of the four recognised racing jurisdictions.
4. Championship Rankings
4.1 Rankings shall be determined by the total number of winners ridden during the Championship period.
4.2 Only official race results shall be considered.
5. Prize Money
5.1 The total prize fund shall be R200,000.
5.2 The top five qualifying apprentices shall share the prize fund.
5.3 First place shall receive R100,000.
5.4 The remaining R100,000 shall be distributed amongst the second to fifth placed apprentices according to the official prize allocation determined by Lucky Fish.
6. General
6.1 All decisions relating to rankings and qualification shall be final.
6.2 The organisers reserve the right to verify all statistics and eligibility requirements.
LUCKY FISH NATIONAL GROOMS CHAMPIONSHIP 2026/27
Terms and Conditions
1. Competition Period
1.1 The Championship shall run throughout the South African 2026/27 racing season.
2. Eligibility
2.1 The Championship is open to grooms officially registered with licensed trainers participating in South African racing.
2.2 A groom must be recorded as the primary groom responsible for the horse concerned.
2.3 A primary groom shall be represented by up to 4 horses only at any given time.
3. Championship Rankings
3.1 Rankings shall be determined by the total number of winning horses under the care of the groom during the Championship period.
3.2 Winners from all recognised South African racing jurisdictions shall be included.
3.3 Each winning horse shall only count towards the groom officially recorded by the trainer and racing authority.
4. Prize Money
4.1 A total prize fund of R300,000 has been allocated to the Championship.
4.2 The top thirty (30) grooms shall share the prize fund.
4.3 The Champion Groom shall receive R50,000.
4.4 The remaining prize money shall be distributed amongst the other top twenty-nine qualified grooms according to the official prize allocation schedule determined by Lucky Fish.
5. Verification
5.1 Trainers may be required to verify the primary groom responsible for each winning horse.
5.2 The organisers reserve the right to investigate and confirm all claims and records before finalising the standings.
6. General
6.1 Official records maintained by the racing authorities shall be used for determining standings.
6.2 All decisions of Lucky Fish and the appointed racing officials shall be final and binding.
6.3 Lucky Fish reserves the right to amend, suspend or terminate the Championship should circumstances beyond its control require such action.
Additional General Terms Applicable to All Four Championships
- Participation constitutes acceptance of these Terms and Conditions.
- All participants must comply with the Rules of the National Horseracing Authority of Southern Africa and all applicable racing regulations.
- Any participant found guilty of misconduct, fraud, corruption, prohibited substance violations or conduct prejudicial to racing may be disqualified from the Championship.
- Prize money may be withheld pending the outcome of any disciplinary proceedings.
- Tax obligations arising from prize money awards remain the sole responsibility of the recipient.
- Championship standings will be based on official racing records and statistics.
- Any manipulation or abuse of the terms and conditions, as determined by the organiser, will not be tolerated and shall lead to the disqualification of the party or parties concerned.
- Lucky Fish's decision regarding eligibility, qualification and final standings shall be final.
- The organisers reserve the right to amend the terms of any or all Championships where required.
- The organisers decision shall be final and no further correspondence shall be entered into following the allocation of the prizes.
Prize Distribution
Trainers & Jockeys
| Position | Prize |
|---|---|
| Winner | R1,000,000 |
| 2nd | R300,000 |
| 3rd | R200,000 |
| 4th | R150,000 |
| 5th | R100,000 |
| 6th | R70,000 |
| 7th | R60,000 |
| 8th | R50,000 |
| 9th | R40,000 |
| 10th | R30,000 |
Grooms
| Position | Prize |
|---|---|
| Winner | R50,000 |
| 2nd | R25,000 |
| 3rd | R20,000 |
| 4th | R16,000 |
| 5th | R14,000 |
| 6th | R13,000 |
| 7th | R12,500 |
| 8th | R12,000 |
| 9th | R11,500 |
| 10th | R11,000 |
| 11th | R10,500 |
| 12th | R10,000 |
| 13th | R9,500 |
| 14th | R9,000 |
| 15th | R8,500 |
| 16th | R8,000 |
| 17th | R7,500 |
| 18th | R7,000 |
| 19th | R6,500 |
| 20th | R6,000 |
| 21st | R5,500 |
| 22nd | R5,000 |
| 23rd | R4,500 |
| 24th | R4,000 |
| 25th | R3,500 |
| 26th | R3,000 |
| 27th | R2,500 |
| 28th | R2,000 |
| 29th | R1,500 |
| 30th | R1,000 |
Apprentices
| Position | Prize |
|---|---|
| Winner | R100,000 |
| 2nd | R40,000 |
| 3rd | R30,000 |
| 4th | R20,000 |
| 5th | R10,000 |
