Nathan’s Gearing Up

Gauteng owner Nathan Delport was mentored into horseracing by his two Grandfathers, who he concedes were both sick for the game. Reading Computaform instead of a Geography text book at school laid the foundation for a love of racing.

Today Nathan is a proud owner and is living a childhood dream.

When Opera Glass bounded home at 25-1 under the promising Siyanda Sosibo to break the Vaal course record for the 2400m last Thursday, part owner Nathan  was over the moon. His Dad Pieter, younger brother Ryan and sister Shay are also partners, together with the trainer’s wife Julia and Tommy Shawe.

The Listed Spook Express winner had registered 145,70 secs on a course that was clearly running fast.

“We are so proud. What a lovely achievement by our trainer Stevie Moffatt. We aren’t under any false illusions, and we are not saying exactly that the record was ‘smashed’, as the horse that ran fourth had the record beaten by a few split seconds,too! But it’s also good to see the small trainers like Heinrich van der Westhuizen getting up for second beaten only a short head.”

Nathan may have been talking more emotionally than he ordinarily would – his partner Rochelle happens to be former ‘Oom’ Nic Claasen assistant Van der Westhuizen’s daughter!

“The small trainers are the game’s bread and butter. They are the backbone. Without them we have a few powerful rich people taking turns against each other. The small guys need all the exposure and backing, as they are keeping this game alive. I get excited when a small yard wins. I really do. It shows the game is fairly healthy, even though we have multiple challenges.”

Looking back at how it all started, Nathan recalls being intrigued by a Computaform at school.

“One of my Lebanese friends in class was always reading it. He also somehow always had money for the tuckshop. I took the lead from him, and it probably helped having the game in my genes already!” says the 31 year old, a partner in the family business Delport Gearboxes, which is located near the Turffontein Racecourse.

He was chatting to the Sporting Post earlier this week as he wondered what the answers are to get people into the sport today and reminisced about how his two late ‘Oupas’ set him up to love the game.

“Jimmy Thomas Volschenk ran Boeties Plumbing. He was a legend in the South of Johannesburg Weichong Marwing was one of his customers and when the champion jockey won here on Wolf Power he gave my Grandpa his crop. That was a treasured gift and I recall spending hours holding it like a magic wand, and riding my own race on the couch!”

Nathan says that horseracing attracts unique and special people, and the experience of spending an afternoon out at the races with friends and family was his joy.

“Oupa Boetie was a hardworking man. But racing was his real passion. My Gran used to telephone him and he would say he is very busy in the ceiling or down a manhole, working. In the meantime, the racing commentary was loud and clear in the background!”

His other Oupa – his Dad Pieter’s father – ran a scrapyard in Booysen for many years.

“So many people know the late Buks Delport. He used to drive around at Christmas in a sleigh, handing out gifts in his red suit to the underprivileged. But, boy, racing was his first love!”

Nathan recalls that his Dad played the role of Bookie at home and laid bets for him and Buks.

“He said it’s better than us making the Bookies richer than they were already. It was convenient too and he often gave us credit!” laughs Nathan.

The ownership passion commenced when Pieter Delport was offered a share in the Grey Eminence gelding The White Horse. A friend put him off and that didn’t end up being the best advice as The White Horse would go on to win 6 races with Geoff Woodruff.

Pieter then raced Tiger Stripes, a Cataloochee gelding.

“Ten races later in Gauteng and not a single cheque, this wasn’t exactly the champion we dreamed of. My Dad sent him to Tienie Prinsloo in Kimberley. It didn’t take long to get results!”

Nathan recalls that Tiger Stripes needed his first start in the Northern Cape, but on 30 January 2012, their ship came in, big time!

“Tiger Stripes was 50-1. I was told to put the money on at the last moment. He got up at 50-1 to short head the 13-10 favourite He Who Dares. I was screaming him home – the tote was dead quiet. These mean looking guys had backed the runner-up. In my naivete and excitement I said ‘we got the lot’ – he couldn’t lose. That was probably a really dumb thing to say to guys who had just done their money on the favourite. I got out of their like Speedy Gonzales. I can’t remember if I even waited to cash our tickets!” laughs Nathan.

It was a momentous day – a first winner for Tienie Prinsloo, first for Chase Maujean in Kimberley, and Pieter Delport’s first winner.

“We were hooked. Tiger Stripes never earned another cent, but it hardly mattered. He had given us the thrill and the photograph on the wall. Despite tough times in business thanks to covid, and racing’s challenges, we are still in it and love it dearly!”

Nathan mentions the successes achieved by the new team in the Cape and says that he doesn’t always see the same up North.

“We watch the Hollywoodbets Kenilworth horseracing and see what they have achieved. I have made suggestions to our people. They say ‘we will get back to you’. Nothing happens. Take Heritage Day – there was nothing for the public at the Vaal. Why can’t we make a plan and bring the Grooms families racing, as one example? These guys work so hard, and we need to involve their support networks and show them that racing appreciates them – and that it’s a game for every man.”

Nathan bought a 2yo in August and he is registering a new syndicate. He likes the progeny of The United States and is excited about racing with some new people in the game.

“We love our horses. They are our family. I recall a gentleman at the BSA August 2yo Sale. He made as if to speak to his purchase and said: ‘goodbye, you are off to Gqeberha. I probably won’t see you again.’ We were horrified. We visit our horses like our family. That’s why we enjoy small trainers of the ilk of Stevie Moffat and Heinrich van der Westhuizen. The personal touch matters to them, and we enjoy it that they care so much.”