All good things come to an end.
For Cape Racing TV’s Fiona ‘Fee’ Ramsden and her two beautiful teenage daughters, Friday 16 December marks the end of an African adventure that lasted over a quarter of a century, and the beginning of a new life in their Motherland, England.
Goodbye Cape Town! Fiona is flanked by Holly and Zara as he says farewell
A popular personality on South African horseracing television screens for nearly fifteen years, the 52 year old Fiona told the Sporting Post that she has ‘procrastinated enough’ and will be moving back to the country of her birth after over 25 years in ‘the most beautiful city in the world’.
“It has been a privilege to live and work in a beautiful city like Cape Town. But there comes a stage when one knows that it’s time to move on. And that time is now for me and the girls. We have had a wonderful time of it these final few days doing all the ‘touristy things’ that we probably take for granted. It will be a sad goodbye, and there are so many people that I will not have a chance to thank and bid farewell to,” she told the Sporting Post in a quick catch-up on Wednesday morning.
The former better half of past Cape champion trainer Joey Ramsden, Fee smiles as she looks skywards and adds up the years, observing with surprise that she has spent half her life in South Africa.
Fiona Alexandra Haynes was brought up on a farm in Wiltshire. Her Dad Edward, now in his late 80’s, was a trainer and the family were all involved in equestrian pursuits, from Pony Club to amateur race-riding when growing up.
Holly scythes through the icy Atlantic with Table Mountain watching over her
Fee worked for Barry Hills for four years when he was at Manton for Robert Sangster She was employed by Jack and Lynda Ramsden in North Yorkshire when she met Joey, who had returned from his world travels. JR had decided at that time to come home from South Africa, where he had worked, amongst others, for Mike de Kock, and been an assistant to Vaughan Marshall.
After running a satellite yard in Southwell for his family, the charismatic trainer and his girlfriend decided to chance their luck in Africa and in 1995 Goodhope Racing was born at Milnerton.
Fee was a key player in the success of the very successful and customer-orientated business.
But life and circumstances change. And she eventually found her niche around 2006 in racing television, combining her natural screen appeal, eloquence, and broad -based horse knowledge, to popular effect.
“And now we are on our way! It feels a little surreal. And when is it really ever a good time to move with two teenagers? But thankfully both the girls are sports crazy – Holly (16) with her swimming and triathlons, and Zara (13) with the horses. So my first objective will be to get them settled and happy in their passions!”
When asked as to where she will be living, Fee’s smile brightens.
“I am on the Wiltshire-Berkshire border, down the road from the ‘the Valley of the Racehorse’, more familiarly known as the Lambourne Training Grounds. Thankfully I have many friends and contacts in the racing industry in England – so I will hopefully be able to get involved there, again,” she says with enthusiasm, adding that she really has so many people to thank.
Zara has followed in Mum’s boots
“We all need good friends, support and kindness in our lives– especially with family so far away. I have so very many people to thank here – they know who they are. To the racing public and to Greg Bortz and his team at Cape Racing – I wish you all the best. Great things are happening here in the Cape. It actually seems crazy to be leaving in the midst of such exciting times. But I will be watching it all from over there and spreading the word. Despite all the problems, South Africa – and Cape Town in particular – is a beautiful destination. Thanks so much to you all from us three,” concluded Fee as the mist welled in her eyes.
Cheers Fee, Holly, Zara. The door is always open in Cape Town.
