Taking his headset off as he sat in the Meydan commentary box three minutes before the field for the $12 million Dubai World Cup was about to jump was a terrible mistake.
South Africa’s world-class racecaller Alistair Cohen jets into Johannesburg today and was reflecting on a memorable six month professional adventure that exceeded his wildest expectations.
Frankie Dettori and the Country Grammer team celebrate (Pic -ERA)
Talking to the Sporting Post this past weekend, the Durbanite told how he had thoroughly enjoyed World Cup night and absorbed what is a rare experience in any professional’s life.
“What an atmosphere. What a magnificent event! I had told myself that I was going to handle it and had left the butterflies back home. Eight great races had been run and everything was going swimmingly until I took my headphones off minutes before the start of the big one of the evening. I have been in big sports stadiums and attended many events with louder noise. But the ‘hum’ or buzz at Meydan was unbelievable. It was almost spooky,” he laughs as he labels the decision to remove his headphones a ’terrible mistake’.
“But I regrouped and regathered my composure during the loading process and after about 400m I was enjoying every moment. And what a race it was! Life Is Good went into the final stages looking a winner. But Frankie Dettori is pure genius and timed his challenge on Country Grammer to perfection for his fourth victory in the big race – and his personal first at Meydan!”
Dubai World Cup night will go down, probably alongside the Breeders Cup, as an undoubted highpoint on a cv that has grown in leaps and bounds since Alistair’s first commentary on 16 August 2010 at Flamingo Park.
He was shadowing Bumpy Schoeman that day and ‘brashly’ grabbed the opportunity to call the third race, which was won by Gombera Boy.
“After the canter down for the third race, I wanted to grab my jacket and run. But the race went well. I called another race a bit later. I left Kimberley a happy man,” he recalls.
From the dusty platteland simplicity of Kimberley to the razzmatazz and world-class facilities of Meydan, the boy has become a man and grown in stature to be regarded as one of the world’s leading young commentators.
The Dubai job doesn’t get dished out willy nilly either, and the prestige and honour of the appointment was not lost on Alistair when he touched down in October last year facing a host of new challenges.
The sports fanatic counts that he called 457 races that hosted 1527 horses! Some of the names are tongue twisters that make Kommetdieding or the Hollywood Syndicate runner Imilenzeyokududuma easy to roll off the tongue.
“What an experience. From the Al-Ain marathon to the Dubai World Cup! Time has flown by and looking back now I recall how tough it was settling in to a new country, getting to know new people, new horses and adapting to the unique characteristics of new racecourses. I was also very aware of synchronising the expectations of my personal hopes and dreams versus the professional expectations which were expected from me.”
Ali settled in quickly!
He explains that as the time passed and he called his first meeting at Jebel Ali at end of October, things gradually fell into place, and he started loving his Dubai adventure.
“When the year turned and the Dubai World Cup Carnival started I was well into it and feeling settled and content. The South African borders opened and Candice (Dawson) was able to come out and visit – then life felt really good.”
Ali’s partner Candice Dawson trains out of Randjesfontein and the pair have been together for some years now. While Alistair says the Dubai World Cup racemeeting on 26 March was a highlight, he is quick to place his engagement to Candice during her visit, right alongside that.
“That was really special. Candice enjoyed Dubai and, while I was working, we were able to spend time together enjoying this magnificent destination.”
Newly engaged Alistair and Candice celebrate in Dubai
As to a horse who caught his eye, Alistair tells the Sporting Post that the Godolphin-owned Manobo, who went down half a length to Japanese raider Stay Foolish in the Gr2 Dubai Gold Cup, didn’t quite stay the 3200m and didn’t’ do himself any favours as he pulled for the first 500m.
“Charlie Appleby’s Manobo is a horse for the notebook. He was unbeaten from five starts prior to the Gold Cup.The 3200m might be at the end of his range and he looks like a horse who will go back to Europe and win Group races at 2400m to 2800m. He is all class and a handsome specimen!”
Alistair tweeted after the World Cup:
‘That was fun. Country Grammer was given a special ride by @FrankieDettori for his first World Cup win at Meydan. That Dubai Turf was the best race I’ve seen through binoculars. Somebody please buy me a horse from Japan. Incredible. Barely an ounce of body fat. Genetic freaks.’
Regarding his plans when back in South Africa for the next five months, Alistair says that home is where the heart is and he is looking forward to seeing his fiancé, their beloved ‘furry’ kids and their family and friends.
On the professional front he is keen to call 3 to 5 meetings a month to keep his eye in.
“I don’t mind where I work and don’t have anything concrete yet. So I will take it as it comes. I am keen and I believe the prospects are good that I will return to Dubai later this year for another stint. That’s an exciting thought!” he says enthusiastically.
Alistair Cohen – back home after a terrific experience
The Dubai experience is a major achievement on all fronts for Alistair Jonathan Cohen who was born and bred in Durban and spent his first 9 years living 400m from Hollywoodbets Greyville racetrack.
The bug bit early. Alistair remembers joining his Dad Dave on race days, rushing from the parade ring to the track and back again and sneaking into places he wasn’t allowed.
“My dad has never been a big punter, but has his R10 PA every day. He’s always had an interest in every race meeting and his friendship with Owen Heffer (Winning Form) is probably the reason I’m in racing. I went to school with Owen’s youngest son. We played cricket together and after matches, I used to spend my weekends at the Heffer household watching racing.”
However, it was on 14 April 1997, the day London News won the QEII Cup, that he realised he wanted to make racing his career. “That’s the day I fell in love with the game,” he says simply.
“London News was my hero. His was the first July I really watched and I remember thinking ‘whatever wins this will be immortal’. David Raphael made the call – ‘London News! He’s everything they said and he wins!’ It stuck in my head and I knew it was something I wanted to do.”
A younger Alistair
Gold Circle advertised a commentating competition. Alistair explains, “It was one of those ‘If you think you can do it, send us a tape’ type of thing and I applied.” Gold Circle were impressed – and a little shocked to find how young he was. “Colin Aitken had got my tape and rang my school to say they didn’t believe I was really 12, but wanted me to come along.”
“On 10 August 2003, the 6 finalists went to Clairwood. It was a gloomy day and we got to call races 3, 5 and 8. I was shaking and a complete wreck. I had no idea what I was doing and was absolutely awful. In race 3, there was a horse in luminous yellow colours. It was the only horse I could see and the only one I mentioned for the whole race. It was the height of embarrassment – particularly as it didn’t win. After the meeting, we were called into the boardroom. They thanked us for coming and then lo and behold, asked to chat to me afterwards. They said it hadn’t been pretty, but they thought I had potential and were prepared to give me a chance.”
The rest is history, as they say.
Welcome back, Ali!
