Exclusive: Eight on Eighteen Storms to Victory as Justin Snaith Makes Met History

Renowned South African trainer Justin Snaith has once again solidified his place in horse racing history, securing his third consecutive Grade 1 Cape Town Met title. This time, the victory came courtesy of the 3-year-old sensation "Eight on Eighteen", who stormed through the field to claim a triumphant win.

The filly, carrying just 54kg, entered the race with high expectations after a close second-place finish to "One Stripe" in the Grade 1 King's Plate. She delivered on her potential, dazzling the crowd and showcasing why she was the bookmakers' favourite.

The Race: A Star-Studded Field

The 2025 Cape Town Met featured a stellar lineup, including Durban July winner "Oriental Charm", KwaZulu-Natal’s standout "See It Again", and Summer Cup champion "Atticus Finch". Despite the stiff competition, "Eight on Eighteen" emerged as the standout performer, demonstrating remarkable resilience and poise.

Snaith reflected on the race, saying: "It wasn’t as cut and dry as people thought. A young 3-year-old running 2000 metres at this time of year, it was a risk. He came from a long way back and showed incredible ability. This horse can run, and I’m glad he proved it today."

Handling the Pressure as a Favourite

With "Eight on Eighteen" labeled as the favourite, the pressure on Snaith and his team was palpable. The champion trainer admitted to feeling the weight of expectation.

"The pressure was there, it was getting more and more. Listen, it's good for the tipsters and people that were saying that he is such a good horse to pick. Kudos to those that picked him. They said at the weights on his run in the [Cape] Guineas, he was going to be hard to beat and to be honest they were right," he told SportsBoom.com. 

A Seamless Preparation

Snaith described the lead-up to the Met as one of the smoothest preparations of his career. "Training this horse was as easy as it gets. He never put a foot wrong, it was almost too simple. He’s young, and youth makes a big difference, just like in sport. Ask Djokovic!"

"It does help when you got youth on your side."

Looking Ahead: Snaith’s Aspirations

With his fifth Grade 1 Cape Town Met win under his belt, Snaith has set his sights on continued success both locally and internationally.

"I want to win as many races as I can here in South Africa and maybe take a few horses overseas. I was close to heading to Hong Kong but decided to stay because of the positive strides in our racing industry."

Snaith also joked about familial pressure, "My brother Jonathan has been saying we’ve been lacklustre lately, so I hope this win will keep him happy for a while!"

Snaith’s Legacy Grows

Justin Snaith’s dominance in the Cape Town Met continues to underscore his reputation as one of South Africa’s finest trainers. With "Eight on Eighteen", he has unearthed another potential star, adding to his impressive portfolio of champions. All eyes will now be on his next move as he aims to leave an even greater mark on the world of horse racing.