Il Etait Temps, a grey gelding co-owned by South African families, secured victory in the Queen Mother Champion Chase Group 1 at the Cheltenham Festival - an achievement likened to winning gold at the Olympics in national hunt racing.
Despite a stumble at the final fence, Il Etait Temps clinched his seventh Group 1 win over jumps on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, marking a remarkable comeback.
South African-born England cricketer Craig Kieswetter, one of the owners, expressed pride at the win, emphasizing the significance of South African representation on the global stage.
Devin Heffer, brand manager for Hollywood Racing, heralded the victory as a pivotal moment for South African racing, aligning the industry with top international standards.
The triumph has elevated South African racing partnerships on the global horizon, shedding light on the forthcoming Hollywoodbets Durban July, the country's premier racing event.
The victory at Cheltenham represents a paradigm shift in recognizing South Africa's competitiveness in the world of horseracing, signifying a bright future for the nation's racing industry.
