This year’s premier horse race, the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate to be held at Kenilworth on 29 December 2007, will play host to a display of vintage cars from the Crank Handle Club and the Franschhoek Motor Museum which will not only provide a reminder of the elegance of a bygone era for which this occasion has become known, but also to acknowledge the role that horses have played in the history of transport in South Africa.

Going as far back as the early 1900’s the horse and cart was used as a mode of transport as well as a means to sell fruit, vegetables and fish on the streets of many a South African city. In America, the horse-car, an equine rail car, was an alternative to walking and picked up and dropped off passengers on a regular route much like today’s trains and trams.

In the late 1800’s horses were sidestepped by the invention of the automobile, which was demonstrated as early as 1769. 1885 marked the introduction of gasoline powered internal combustion engines. The car that started off in 1919 was something of a rarity, but by the late 1930’s, proceeding the great crash of 1929, had become a popular and more affordable possession, becoming a vital support during the second world war. As needs must, so the “car” evolved to in the main, supercede horse drawn transportation.

“Showing off these automotive master pieces at a prestigious horse event that supports the Cart Horse Protection Association, is not only recognizing the role of horses in the history of transport, but marries horses and cars in support of a cause aimed at the well being of these elegant creatures that still continue to work in many of South Africa’s rural communities” says Wayne Harley, curator, Franschhoek Motor Museum.

The L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate not only provides the backdrop for elegant attire – white with a touch of blue this year to echo the racing colours of the Drakenstein Stud - delectable cuisine and superb racing, but also plays host to the Crank Handle Association who will support the occasion with a display of vintage cars to remind us of the sartorial splendour of ages past.

Truly an occasion not to be missed.

For more information contact:

Tim Hill on (021) 448 2020 or 082 888 5945 – [email protected]

Anneke Van Der Westhuizen on (021) 448 2020 or 082 708 1957 - [email protected]

Original article from Car