A South African racing legend turns 70 today. The patriarch of the Snaith Racing dynasty, Chris Snaith celebrates his birthday.
On 4 July 1972 Chris Snaith became the youngest racehorse trainer in South Africa to be granted his licence. He was only 22.
Chris Snaith, centre, with Anton Marcus and John Freeman at the 2018 Vodacom Durban July (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
After captaining the Western Province show jumping team, Chris hung up his boots and entered the professional paddock. His true love was always horses.
In the spring of 1972, with a string of five horses in his stable, Chris Snaith saddled the first Snaith runner. Over the next 30 years, Chris and his wife Susan shaped the heart of Snaith Racing.
The Millennium year saw Snaith Racing transformed into a new era when sons Justin and Jonathan took over the reins.
Within a few years the Snaith boys, in their early Twenties when they took over, took a mere 22 horses and built up a racing heritage that has seen Snaith Racing celebrate dual SA Championship titles, and become one of the most respected names in the South African horseracing industry.
Best for many more, Chris!
