TDN Magazine - Comments

South Africa: Racing's Best-Kept Secret

Part travelogue, part business story, "South Africa: Racing's Best-Kept Secret," will have you yearning to visit the country for one reason or another.

Comments (12)

SUBSCRIBER, TDN - 12/29/2010 6:00:28 PM EST

Having owned many South African fillies with Team Valor International including Captain's Lover, Little Miss Magic, On Her Toes and this year's sensational filly Ebony Flyer, I can only say that I am certainly aware of the excellent breeding and racing in South Africa. Thanks for the excellent article and eye opening recognition.

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Ada V Der Bent - 09/23/2010 7:55:55 AM EDT

Full marks to Bill Finley for an insightful article which I am sure has enlightened many who knew very little about our beautiful country situated at the southernmost tip of Africa.

May I be so presumptuous as to state that this delightful expose merely scratches the surface!

And yes, it is a worthy tribute to our breeders, who continue to produce world-class racing stock, notwithstanding the handicap of an endemic disease and with no access to shuttle stallions.

Thanks Bill and TDN. Keep it up.

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Garrett Redmond - 09/17/2010 11:30:22 PM EDT

It is more than 30 years since I visited South Africa. The country was far different from the picture worldwide media gave us at that time. It was just like our southern states of that era except, the Afrikaaners/English did not blow-up churches and little girls.

There is spectacular scenery throughout the country. Cape Town is among the prettiest cities anywhere. The Mount Nelson Hotel is an experience unmatched anywhere - the Old World service remarkable and the price economical. I suspect that has changed.

Everywhere, the people were civil and congenial. The food is indeed wonderful - definite signs of English/Dutch origins but with local twists. (Novelties too, such as hippo sausage; its just like bratwurst. ) Again, it was very economical. The same true of their wines, spirits and beer.

Definitely a destination well worth the time and money to get there, whether or not horses are your interest. Personal safety is definitely a concern now. A visitor would be wise to have the company of someone who knows the territory.

South Africans should do much more to advertise their country. They need to quit bowing their heads and apologizing for times past. Nice to see their horsemen and horses can do much for that mission. Their great golfers have already blazed a trail.

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Alistair Brown - 09/16/2010 2:39:58 AM EDT

An excellent piece on South Africa - a country which the late broadsheet columnist Molly Reinhart (wife of famous trainer Fred Rickaby) used to to refer to as "this mad and sunny land" ... and, to which I refer to as ... "home" (despite having been born in Scotland!).

Bill Finley has certainly made one feel like packing one's bags and heading down here - and that was by only scratching the surface of what the bloodstock industry in South Africa is all about.

There is just SO MUCH more to appreciate - some wonderful stud farms and world-class stallions that were not mentioned, and, the chance to find a horse capable of winning at the highest international level in places you wouldn't imagine.

The South African bloodstock industry (and the country in general) will surprise you more than you could think possible, and you will return to whatever country YOU call "home" with stories and anecdotes that will make you sought-after dinner guests for months to come!

Alistair Brown, (Equarius Bloodstock) SOUTH AFRICA

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Milo Corbett - 09/15/2010 3:33:00 PM EDT

If any of you are thinking of making the trip to South Africa - don't be afraid to ask Eamonn Cullen to help with any aspect of the trip. 100% decent bloke and great company, and no he is not paying me to write this(!). (Eamonn - do I get the twenty dollars now or later?)

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Harold Roth - 09/15/2010 3:12:43 PM EDT

TDN has done it again. Brought to light a hidden gem in our industry.

The facets of the diamond radiate throughout the article/travelogue.

Looking forward to more.

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James Trotter - 09/15/2010 1:14:12 PM EDT

I just wanted to write to thank you for the magazine article published earlier in the week entitled “South Africa: Racing’s Best-Kept Secret.” It was a pleasure to read. Not only was it informative and fair in its depiction of South African racing, its history, and its relationship to the rest of the world, but I feel the piece portrayed well what South Africa is like as a place. It is articles such as these that we, as South Africans, need more of to educate the rest of the world about our country and our racing product, so that light can shed away the veil of ignorance there is over South Africa.

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Patricia Birk - 09/14/2010 9:53:39 PM EDT

Thanks so much for doing this!

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Luis Astacio - 09/14/2010 6:00:54 PM EDT

Great article! I did not have the knowledge that the horse industry in South Africa was so fantastic. I love the way that Gary Player expains how they turn out their young ones. That is the closest thing to wild. Nothing better for the horse. Congratulations on such a fantastic article

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Jose Nelson - 09/14/2010 4:40:44 PM EDT

Excellent work South Africa and TDN. Well done.

Joe Nelson

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Jose Nelson - 09/14/2010 4:40:18 PM EDT

Replying to Vincent Maglio:
Talk about secrets. A secret no more, for I am spreading the word. What a delightful article. Keep up the good word so yuo can keep thoroughbred racing alive and still the "sport of kings." Thank you.

No doubt, excellent article. Well done South Africa !!

Joe Nelson

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Vincent Maglio - 09/14/2010 4:12:03 PM EDT

Talk about secrets. A secret no more, for I am spreading the word. What a delightful article. Keep up the good word so yuo can keep thoroughbred racing alive and still the "sport of kings." Thank you.

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