Joey Soma – ‘I Wasn’t The Only Mayfair Man’

A recent routine interview published by us with trainer Joey Soma about the season ahead elicited some reaction from posters. The veteran conditioner requested that the Sporting Post afford him the opportunity to set the record straight and tell his story.

Flashback: Joey’s champion Special Preview – Gavin van Zyl in the saddle

I find it very amusing that I am somehow remembered for being the ONLY Jooste comrade, writes Joey Soma in a letter to the Sporting Post Mailbag.

It seems it is my destiny at last, to be given the opportunity to tell my version of the ‘Concerned Owners’ chapter.

Veteran Joey Soma – keen to set the record straight

I note many of the videos that have been aired across the country by various trainers and jockeys, who also issued a call for unity and sticking together, have largely gone unnoticed.

One year after the concerned owners had folded (i.e 2007), at the 2008 NYS, approximately 15-20 trainers were given the opportunity by Markus Jooste to each buy one horse.

I was fortunate to make the list, maybe because of concerned owners, maybe not- I was never told, and it was at this sale that I purchased Happy Landing who went on to win the R2 million Gr1 Premiers Champions Challenge in 2011.

Markus Jooste (centre), with Charles Laird and his Racing Manager, Derek Brugman

The record shows that he was by far the most successful horse amongst the others.

By the way, Happy Landing is still in my care, and is enjoying his retirement in the Natal Midlands.

From this win, I was rewarded by Markus Jooste/ Mayfair Speculators with other purchases throughout the years.

We were a very successful combination.

Markus always acknowledged my achievements publicly, valued my eye for yearlings and my knowledge on horseracing- and yes- was there for me when our family endured a personal tragedy in 2012.

Another Soma winner – Joey, Andrew Fortune and assistant Gabi Soma (Pic – JC Photos)

I would like to add that the following trainers listed below  and in no specific order, during the period 2008 to 2017, also trained for Mrs IJ & Mr MJ Jooste/ Mayfair Speculators (Pty) Ltd.

And right up to the Steinhoff demise, Mayfair was buying horses at international sales for various other trainers.

Apologies to the few, that may have been omitted from this list.

Why is it that I appear to be the only trainer persecuted for training for Markus Jooste/ Mayfair Speculators (Pty) Ltd? How do the other 28 trainers (even the ones after me) escape unscathed?

The Mayfair Speculators (photo: hamishNIVENPhotography)

I would like to respond to some of the posts published following the Sporting Post article about my SA Derby plans for Got The Greenlight.

SFJ– it was my decision to withdraw from all politics when John Stuart took over as CEO- long before Larry Wainstein’s resignation. I was on the industry liaison committee from the very beginning, as I was one of the founders alongside Charles Laird, Mike de Kock & Graeme Hawkins. Please don’t feel bad for me.

At least you CAN’T blame me for where racing is at the moment. I certainly have never needed anyone to give me any inside information. I am very pleased to be out of all the politics as it affords me the time to enjoy training horses, playing golf and punting.

M Gram– in response to you saying anyone associated with Jooste should be excluded. This list is endless- refer to the trainers above, and let’s just give some thought to how many jockeys carried Mayfair silks, how many breeders benefitted from Mayfair purchasing at the sales, and how many punters had a winning bet on their horses.

What has puzzled me, since Markus Jooste’s fall, where have all those under bidders and their money gone?

Steve Reid– thanks for the kind words and being the only person in horseracing to take the time out, treated me to a great lunch, to get my take on the concerned owners.

Flashback – Joey, Brian Finch, Larry Wainstein and Chris van Niekerk

Brett Maselle & JessK – the best for last:

Brett you have stated how you remember it, but below is my recollection. You give yourself far too much credit being the heart and soul of the CO committee.

The Concerned Owners (CO) was started when a horse of mine, who was on her way to the track, got caught in barbed wire which had been left on a pathway, and she had to be euthenased.

At that time the RA and Phumelela refused to listen to my woe, and we felt that there was no voice for the smaller owner and trainer.

Have you forgotten that our fight was about fairness for all, to be treated equally and to try and make racing better for all concerned?

1. Leading up to the so called “secret meeting”, you forget to mention how we all sat on the phone, trying to canvas for votes and proxies. If we had more than 12 come through, it was a lot. The lack of support- by owners on the RA books- for the Concerned Owners was alarmingly low. We knew we were no- where.
2. In the so called “secret meeting”- the CO committee were all given a call by Larry Wainstein/ myself, to vote on whether we withdraw the request for the resignation of the RA Board at the up and coming TBA complex meeting. In this so called “secret meeting”  they had agreed to give us strong representation on the RA board and wanted to work in partnership with the Concerned Owners. You and JessK were strongly opposed to it, but were outvoted by the rest of us. From that day on, you, the Late Ian Jayes and JessK had your own agenda, in my opinion.
3. When we were at the TBA complex meeting, but before the request to withdraw the vote was tabled, why have you failed to mention, throughout all these years (and I ask all the other owners who attended the meeting to come forward)- who stood up to defend and protect Markus Jooste/ Chris Van Niekerk and his board, and those same people reiterated how brilliant they were for our industry?
4. We were all invited to The Whitehouse/ Steinhoff (Parktown) offices and given the opportunity to air our grievances, and to discuss the way forward by working hand in hand. I will never forget how in that meeting you had every opportunity to go head to head against Jooste (who, I believe you never liked)/ Van Niekerk or any other director on that RA board. Unfortunately, you chickened out, left the meeting after introductions, with the excuse that you had to fetch your son from a football practice.
5. JessK- you were also part of that Whitehouse meeting and I will give you this- you weren’t scared to voice your opinion. You weren’t totally satisfied with the outcome, but the door was left open to raise any issues. You weren’t shy to have drinks with them all at the bar afterwards. We felt that we had made progress.
6. Brett- not long after that meeting, did Clyde Basel (the then CEO of the RA) not sit down with certain members of the concerned owners group, and begged and pleaded with you Adv Maselle- to join the board as a director, alongside Larry Wainstein, Trevor Raath and Andy O’Connor/ The result was…………. you blatantly refused.
7. JessK- while all this was taking place (TBA/Whitehouse), were you not in the process of launching your website (known today as African Betting Clan), with your then partner Dave Scott (who btw attended a few of the CO meetings, and was in agreement with going into talks with the RA- even though he had no vote). The hot topic of conversation on your new website was to shout from the rafters about how Larry Wainstein and I were sell-outs. With you at the helm of your website, feeding the privileged information and giving the “inside” scoop; were you not the sell-out? Putting horse racing’s future on the backburner for your own agenda?
8. Brett – for 12 years, I have watch how you have conducted yourself. And I need to know how has the HORSE RACING industry benefitted from your so called contributions? You have been given enough opportunities to make a difference by joining either the RA or NHRA. But believe you were too scared to get into the scrum. You are no different to JessK. Did you ever put horse racing first? I would say, no!
9. Brett- you continually amaze me that ONLY yesterday, we found out about your court case against the RA. Why have you allowed a court order to not be honoured after venting so much against Larry Wainstein from the day he took office?
10. And lastly Brett, I have tried to fathom out why everybody appears to be so scared of you, when you are not even a participant in this previously great industry – that is, not a colour holder, not a member of the RA or any other horse racing association around the country?

RIP Concerned Owners!

Thanks to some of the posters for their kind words and support- it is very much appreciated.

Everybody should be entitled to an opinion and have the courage to express it.

Nobody can change the past – but we can make a difference going forward. I hope that racing can find its right footing and eventually bounce back to recapture the glory days.

We all love the game.