Australian horseracing media announced breaking news this morning that internationally acclaimed multiple champion SA Trainer Mike de Kock is relocating to Australia.
According to reports De Kock will have 50 boxes at Cranbourne and co-train with his son Matthew.
De Kock’s SA string must boast 150 horses plus.
The news is not a revelation as De Kock did mention in an interview recently that he was exploring opportunities Down Under for his son, who has grown in stature and will take over the reins from his Dad in the future.
One of our greatest modern era trainers, De Kock surpassed the dizzy heights of the maestro Terrance Millard’s success in December last year when Soqrat marked his 118th Gr1 winner with success in the Cape Guineas.
Mike beat the tally of 117 Gr1 winners at the time held by the legendary Terrance Millard since his retirement in 1991, a time at which, incidentally, Mike was in his mid-twenties and had only a single Grade 1 winner to his name.
Given the export protocols and the volatile economic situation in South Africa, coupled with uncertainty emanating from financial issues at our major racing operator, Phumelela, the gross lack of leadership here makes Australia an attractive destination.
We are endeavouring to obtain more details from Mike de Kock.
