A former Bloemfontein champion trainer, Michael McLachlan was a popular character in the halcyon days of horseracing and now finds himself in dire need after a motor vehicle accident en route to the KZN Yearling Sale some years ago caused him back and knee injuries, compounded since by a motorbike fall.
The man who trained for 33 years, mostly in the now defunct jurisdiction of Bloemfontein, approached the Sporting Post recently as the passing of the years have caught up with his body.
Michael has been in the wars
“I decided to put my pride in my pocket and hope there is somebody that can help me in any small way,” says Michael, as he explains that he urgently needs a knee replacement and wrist fusion.
He tells that around five years ago he fell off his motorbike when swerving to avoid hitting a child that had run into the street.
“I hurt my knee and wrist. I subsequently had wrist surgery and both knees scoped. It’s gotten worse over the years, and I suffer severe pain and am unable to pick up anything, and walking is very difficult. Because of the debilitating impact of these injuries, life is very hard for me, and my mobility is severely impeded.”
In the early 1970’s Michael used to hang around his Dad’s stables and in the yard of the late father of Louis Goosen, as his Granddad was his assistant.
“In 1976 I became part time stable employee to my Dad Desmond McLachlan. I completed my military service and then became assistant trainer to my Dad. I then joined Mike Bass for two years before taking out my own licence in 1983. I trained for a few years at Arlington, before relocating to Bloemfontein where I spent most of my time before the great track’s closure finished off my career of 33 years as a trainer,” he reflects.
On his top horses, Mike says that in Port Elizabeth he had some top horses over the years, including Jubilee Creek who won the Langerman in Cape Town.
“Then there was Red Crescent who was a champion juvenile who won in record time in Gqeberha. Probably my best horse was Meadow Magic, who won first time out. I recall saying in the post-race interview that he would win anywhere in the world. Rob Champion, on the recommendation of Alan Greeff, made me an offer I accepted. He ended up with Mike de Kock, winning the Emerald Cup in 2007.”
Michael aments that it is never easy asking, but adds ‘hopefully some kind hearted racing folk could help out.’
We wish Michael the very best.
If you are able to help in any small way, here are the banking details that he provided:
ABSA
Code: 632005
MDC McLachlan
Account: 01023950029
Mike Mclachlan can be contacted on: [email protected]
