Trainer Justin Snaith aims for a historic fourth consecutive win at the 2026 Cape Town Met

Six-time South African champion trainer Justin Snaith is holding out for a potentially historic run at the 2026 WSB Cape Town Met at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth.

With six formidable contenders poised to enter the fray on January 31, Snaith stands on the brink of history, aiming to secure a fourth consecutive victory in one of the country’s most prestigious horse races.

This year’s R5-million, Grade 1 weight-for-age contest at Kenilworth sees a highly competitive line-up of 11 runners, of which Snaith’s impressive six are central to the narrative.

Topping the list is the celebrated reigning champion, Eight On Eighteen, who will be joined by notable contenders such as The Real Prince, fresh off a recent triumph in the 2026 L’Ormarins King’s Plate.

Remarkable achievements have marked Snaith’s journey through the Cape Town Met. His first win came in 2018 with the three-year-old Oh Susanna, and since then, he has captured consecutive titles with Jet Dark in 2023, Double Superlative in 2024, and last year, Eight On Eighteen.

A fourth consecutive win would not just solidify Snaith’s legacy as the first trainer to achieve this feat but also bring him closer to the race record of six wins held by the legendary Terrance Millard.

As he prepares for the race, Snaith emphasises the importance of strategy and position. Eight On Eighteen, ridden by seasoned jockey Richard Fourie, has drawn barrier two — a placement that Snaith believes could play a pivotal role in the upcoming race.

“Eight On Eighteen has drawn barrier two, which is an excellent position,” Snaith noted. “It’s the first time he’s ever drawn inside of The Real Prince, so that dynamic will be fascinating to watch.”

Fourie’s experience, winning the Met twice before, couples nicely with Snaith’s confidence in Eight On Eighteen, a horse he describes as having benefitted greatly from his performance in the L’Ormarins King’s Plate: “He came out of that run exactly as we’d hoped; ticking every box,” added Snaith.

However, the competition looms large, and leading trainer Dean Kannemeyer is eager to challenge Snaith’s bid for history with his star runner, The Real Prince.

With a recent win at both the L’Ormarins King’s Plate and the Hollywoodbets Durban July, The Real Prince emerges as a formidable opponent in this tight-knit field.

Kannemeyer, who is known for his understated approach during crucial races, remains confident in his horse’s readiness, stating, “The focus now is on keeping him fresh and maintaining his condition.”

The significance of each horse’s draw position increases with only 11 runners participating, heightening the stakes for both trainers.

The 2026 Cape Town Met is shaping up to be an exceptional event, spotlighting premier talent and showcasing the efforts of the nation’s leading trainers.

As fans eagerly await the showdown, all eyes will undoubtedly be on Snaith’s “six-pack” and the question of whether they can clinch yet another victory at South Africa’s marquee racing event.