Joe Soma
Joe Soma Racing recently hosted a social and educational morning at his Turffontein stables. Although the morning started off chilly, coffee, champagne and Pimms soon had the visitors warming up as they mingled in the yard and viewed all the horses.
The horses more than played their part and relished all the extra attention and activity. Stable stalwart and mascot, Happy Landing, even put on his happiest face for a few photographs. The winner of the Gr1 Presidents Champions Challenge in 2011 is now retired, but still actively participates in the stable as the lead pony for all the youngsters learning their trade at the training track.
Soma Stables Open Day
The open mornings at the yard give owners an opportunity to meet other owners and to interact with their horses in a relaxed environment outside of race days. It also gives new owners and interested guests a chance to learn more about the back-ground of a racing yard and what a regular day involves.
“Our yard is intimate and personal, maintaining an optimum number of around 50 horses. This ensures that each horse gets personal attention and we spend time learning each individual’s character and preferences”, says trainer, Joe Soma. As an example, recent winner Final Score, a graduate of the 2010 Ready to Run Sale, was eventually moved to the number one stable where she gets to be involved in all the passing activity and attention. She has blossomed and is so well within herself that she seems to be improving with age.
Imagine Racing’s Sandy Gill and Catherine Hartley
“We enjoy sharing information with our owners and want them to feel part of their horse’s racing career and enjoy every part of the experience as a racing owner”, says Joe. “To this end we also contract Imagine Racing to assist in our communication with owners and ensure regular and personal attention, as well as managing similar client events and race day requests.”
Imagine Racing also owns a number of syndicated horses in the yard, with owners based both in South Africa and abroad. “We are passionate horse owners and racing enthusiasts and want to share this passion with others. Our objective is to help new people get involved and manage the process for them so that they can get the most out of the experience. Horse racing is a lifestyle and leisure pursuit like no other, founded on the athleticism of a living, breathing creature of noble ancestry and historical significance. For the uninitiated it can seem daunting and complex, since there are so many different aspects to it and our aim is to guide, advise and demystify this Sport of Kings” say Imagine Racing founders Catherine Hartley and Sandy Wilson.
“We challenge anyone to come and get to know some of our horses and not be moved to join in the thrill of Racing. It simply is the Ride of your Life!”
