As an owner for some 25 years’and having had horses with some 30 different trainers in south Africa, some of them great and others not so great, let me give a tip on one of my fellow travellers. Michael Roberts will contest the South African trainers championship in the not to distant future. Having my own Trainers licence and my own tracks I am more aware than most of the overwhelming advantages of training at the established training centers. Subsidised at many many levels, plus the best facilities, puts a trainer at these facilities at a distinct advantage over the country trainer. What makes a great trainer in order of merit is
1. A great horse
2. A great horseman
3. A brilliant strategist
4. A brilliant jockey
And stock standard excellent facilities. Muis has moved to Summerveld so he is now on par with his peers. Items 2/3 and 4 are a given with this most dedicated of sportsman. It remains for that great horse, or horses, to shake up the order in the top 5 of south African trainers.
Not a question of if, just a question of how soon.
Via email – Adam Kethro
