Opinion

Mythological Elysium is said to be situated at the end of the world and described as an abode for the souls of the heroic and virtuous. Now Maitland may seem unlikely accommodation for an Elysian Field, but nonetheless, there it is – on the corner of Camp and Hely Road in fact – and it is called the Form Organization.

He has the magical mystique of an Elvis Presley, he runs like the wind and is one of the true legends of the turf. Yet even Pocket Power’s awesome humbling presence did little to bolster the attendance at a depressingly barren Kenilworth Racecourse on Saturday

Sarah Whitelaw’s take on the thoroughbred world

I hope the back-slapping over the international jockey test, an admittedly fine concept and wonderful idea in principle, subsides quickly and the innovative Hassen Adams gets his wishes granted of a unified front for horseracing

The Wizard of Oz may have had the Horse of a Different Colour, but SA hosted a weekend of racing in silks of a different colour. Much like Marmite, you either loved them or hated them, but you could not ignore them and we were treated to a great weekend’s racing.

Sarah Whitelaw’s take on the thoroughbred world

We have been treated to another stonking weekend’s racing with some fabulous horses carded at home and abroad – Igugu, Pierre Jourdan, Ebony Flyer, Goldikova, Zenyatta and a wonderful win by homebred Pluck (congrats to Team Valor and connections). But instead of enjoying and debating the turf battles, all eyes are focused on an NHRA meeting later this week.

A lot of sports motivational quotes are centered around sentiments of being knocked down and getting back up again, of persevering against the odds, of suffering physical and psychological deprivation and learning emerge on the other end stronger and more resilient – no sportsperson epitomizes these hardships as completely as a jockey.

Sarah Whitelaw’s take on the thoroughbred world

One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people. He said, “My son, the battle is between two wolves inside us all. One is Evil – It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego. The other is Good – It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith.” The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather: “Which wolf wins?” The old Cherokee simply replied, “The one you feed.”

Sarah Whitelaw’s take on the thoroughbred world