For emerging Summerveld trainer Bo Ngcobo it has been an incredible past few weeks, and a period in his career he is unlikely to forget.
It started with his first win ever with the only horse in his stable, followed with the arrival of a second horse on Easter Sunday – and then on Friday 12 April, the announcement of a sponsorship by Hollywoodbets.
Things are happening for Bo Ngcobo! (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
Understandably Bo is very attached to his first winner, Lightning Jimmy, a Willow Magic gelding out of a speedy Fort Beluga mare, bred at The Fort Stud in KZN.
He bought the horse at the 2022 KZN Yearling Sales in partnership with his good friends, M M Mkhize and M N Mchunu.
And now things are happening! His one-horse first win story so moved a few racing lovers, that they rallied together to reward and encourage his incredible efforts with a second.
A partnership was hastily formed and Colorado Creek, a one- time winner from six runs, was despatched from Johannesburg down to his Summerveld Yard.
The lovely filly by The United States out of the Fahal mare Rivulet was bred by Riethuiskraal Stud.
Bo confirms that she has settled in really nicely, eating extremely well. The immediate assessment is that she could be a decent miler, with the potential to mature into a performer over further.
Colorado Creek has settled in nicely at Summerveld (Pic – Supplied)
The partners are thrilled to being a part of Bo’s special journey.
Lloyd Naik, a Capetonian, and one of the partners, says that he is in this industry for the love of horses, and to enjoy it with those as passionate as he is about horses.
“Being more involved in Syndications in the UK and here, I was looking for something different. When Bo – who I didn’t know from a bar of soap – was interviewed, I saw the passion in his eyes. I saw Bo as the right fit, for where I am at, to grow with, and I know that being a small stable, our horses will be treated as royalty, with all the love, care and attention to detail.To support this man is an honour,” he added.
For Sandhiran Govender of Gauteng, whose association with racing goes way back to his youth when growing up near Clairwood Racecourse, where he attended many race meetings, it’s an exciting moment.
“I have been involved in the ownership of racehorses (he was a partner in Ali Bon Dubai which was trained by Geoff Woodruff) and also own TAB outlets. When I learned that Bo Ngcobo had only one horse, I asked myself how it was possible, and how I could help him, by doing something, and not just talking about it. I immediately contacted my friend Steven Kalunga for help, and he generously made Colorado Creek available without hesitation. This industry needs new blood, and new players, and I want to be a part of that change. Many of us support transformation, and through this initiative, I hope we can not only contribute in some small way, but also demonstrate how easy it is to be a part of change.”
Pravesh Teja, a long-time Durban based racing fanatic, and partner in multiple horses over the years, could not resist getting involved, and is delighted to be a part of this new journey. He is looking forward to a mutually beneficial journey.
Steven Kalunga of Joburg based Kalunga Brothers Racing, who has kept a majority share in Colorado Creek, says that the racing game is very tough for start-ups or small stables, and the partnership with Bo and the new owners is to just enjoy the sport, and see what the change in environment from the Highveld to KZN could do for Colorado Creek. And the options are there, as KZN has both poly and turf tracks.
“Bo has our full support and we wish to see his stable grow from strength to strength. Today it’s one filly. Hopefully tomorrow we might have more horses with Bo, and others will also come forward as well,” he added.
Interviewed at Summerveld earlier this week, just a matter of days after receiving Colorado Creek, Bo said that when Lightning Jimmy won him his first ever race, the feeling was indescribable. But, he adds, the emotion he experienced when Colorado Creek stood in front of him on Easter Sunday surpassed that of his first win, and he will never forget it.
The Partners have made 15% shares available for anybody wishing to join.
Contact Bo Ngcobo on 063 281 4839 – he will also be attending the 2024 National Yearling Sale on 18 and 19 April.
Please like @FuzeBo Racing on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/FuzeBoRacing
