Fanie’s Pure Winning Pleasure

Hollywoodbets-sponsored Randjesfontein conditioner Fanie Bronkhorst is on the up. The 42-year-old has come on leaps and bounds since the 2020 season when he had just a single barn and a handful of horses as a restricted trainer.

Today he has 62 horses in his care, inhabiting three barns at the world-class training establishment. And while his physical stature destroyed any delusions and dreams, he ever had of becoming a jockey, the former Tukkies rugby star is living the dream as one of our fastest ascending training stars.

And time has flown by since Fanie’s early graded stakes success with the gallant mare Running Brave winning the Gr3 London News Stakes at Turffontein on 2 January 2021.

Saturday’s victory in the TAB Gr2 Colorado King Stakes by the progressive 3yo Pure Predator has established a glittering new milestone for the man who grew up in Kathu, the iron-ore capital of the Northern Cape Province.

“How exciting was that, and I know I must have done something half decent when the press rather than my bank manager calls me on Monday morning,” Fanie exclaimed as he took the call from the Sporting Post.

We asked him how it felt to be South Africa’s newest Grade 2 trainer.

“Absolutely terrific. And I can only thank my supportive wife Dezrè, daughter Kayla (13) and son Reghardt (11), as well as my fantastic team, my support services, and my owners, as well as my wonderful sponsors, Hollywoodbets. Without all of these loyal people behind me, I wouldn’t be talking to you today,” adds Fanie as he reflects on how he landed up training horses for a powerful owner like Laurence Wernars.

“Mr Wernars has made a serious effort to spread the love, as it were. It’s so encouraging for smaller yards when big owners give everybody a chance to train their quality horses. He told me to go and select one of the New Predator progeny. I picked Pure Predator – I liked his athleticism and he looked scopy and beautifully boned. But then I didn’t hear anything, and he somehow landed up with Paul Peter. I knew my turn would come, so didn’t say anything and life went on.”

But then Paul Peter called it a day and Pure Predator landed up in the Bronkhorst yard.

“A circle of destiny, as it were! It’s strange how things happen. Call it fate. And here he is today, my Hollywoodbets Durban July entry,” smiles Fanie.

He tells us that Pure Predator is still a baby and definitely not the ‘finished product’ yet.

“The New Predators are unique. They show pace and precocity – my boy won over 1160m on debut, then followed up with a win over the same trip at his third start. Now he is an SA Derby runner-up and a Gr2 winner over 2000m! The seamless transition from a pacy precocious 2yo to 3yo classic ability takes class and plenty of ability!” adds the excited trainer, who holds Springbok colours in the arduous sport of Endurance Racing.

Fanie says that Pure Predator’s next mission will be the R2 million Gr1 Daily News 2000 at Hollywoodbets Greyville on 25 May. All going well, it’s then on to the Hollywoodbets Durban July on 6 July.

“I will raid KZN. I’m not going to get a satellite base at Summerveld. Rather in and out. I have three 2yo’s that I will be looking at for the feature races. Stars And Bra’s ran third in Saturday’s Gr3 Protea Stakes and is a daughter of New Predator, who is looking for further. Honourable Member won her last start over 1400m and is a daughter of Rabada, while Valieva is a daughter of Var and still a maiden. She has run three good seconds and is a sprinter with plenty of scope.”

Stocking the armoury with champions for the future, Fanie purchased two lovely yearlings at the recent BSA National Yearling Sale, and says he is thrilled as he feels he bought quality at prices that won’t break the bank.

Lot 69 – Bold Action – Futura ex Brave Bid

Fanie comments: Athletic filly. Classic type. Stands over ground. Deep girth. Dam – 3 winners from 4 runners, including Brave Move who won 7 and is a stakes winner.

Lot 292 -Unnamed – William Longsword ex Private Dancer

Fanie comments: Very nice colt – dam produced 3 runners, 2 winners. Athletic horse with a strong hindquarter. Depp girth. He has a nice head and intelligent eye. He will come early. I like him a lot.

• Minimum shares of 25% per unit. Please contact Fanie on 082 313 1368 to find out more.