Ringo Takes On The Royals!

When the 6yo Rock Of Rochelle gelding Rockin’ Ringo heads to post for the Glorious Goodwood Gr2 Premier Trophy on Day 2 of the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate Festival at Kenilworth on Saturday it marks  the next chapter in a proud and satisfying mini fairytale for Milnerton trainer Piet Botha and his loyal owners, Barry Nel and Ron Caris.

Racing needs happy stories more than ever right now, and the tale of a near chuckout standing on the brink of giving two owners with over 80 years combined investment in racing their first Graded winner is a happy, albeit longshot dream, if Hollywoodbets’ 12-1 betting odds are to be used as a gauge.

The truth be told, Rockin’ Ringo, affectionately known as ‘Skollie’ to all who love him, would probably not have been a nine-time winner today, and boasting earnings of over half a bar, as he is unlikely to have made it past the front gate with most trainers.

When calling time on his riding career after almost a quarter of a century in the saddle, Piet started his Dare To Dream Stables with his wife Nicole at Milnerton in August 2018.

Rockin’ Ringo was the very first of a humble starting string of nine horses.

Today the Bothas have grown to a population of 35. But Piet has never forgotten the day the Hemel ‘N Aarde Stud-bred youngster stepped off the float.

“I thought, oh my goodness, no, what an unimposing little guy,” he says diplomatically with a broad smile.

The very experienced breeder David Hepburn-Brown had stepped out of the partnership and given his share in Rockin’ Ringo to Barry Nel.

The youngster wasn’t anything to look at, and while he was out of a winning Jet Master mare, he wasn’t exactly commercially bred to hit six figure telephone numbers on the sales boards  either.

Barry Nel sent him into training and suggested Piet see how he goes – and even maybe find him a nice home with a little girl at a local pony club, who might love and enjoy him.

“He was nothing to look at. He was small, and the reality dawned that this is my first horse and, while I always knew it, training really wasn’t going to be a walk in the park!” says Piet.

But a few minutes later the fledgeling trainer had watched his new student walk and saw his attitude. He felt a tingle of excitement and hope.

“I phoned Barry and said let’s give him a chance. He walked really well and, for his size, he had a sense of presence and attitude that could stand him in good stead. Ron Caris got involved, and today we look back and he has given us the ride of our lives.”

Piet found ‘Skollie’ to be an uncooperative and difficult customer though, and that first month of getting acquainted wasn’t a bed of roses.  But the newbie trainer started doing some feed research and found that salmon oil contains the essential fatty acids EPA and DHA and these have several health benefits for both humans and horses. An increase in omega-3 levels inhibits inflammatory responses.

“We had all day to devote to our small string and the introduction of the feed, coupled with our TLC seemed to help. Rockin’ Ringo calmed down and applied himself enthusiastically to his work. He has never cost one cent at the Vet – he really is a dream horse, even if he wasn’t exactly a textbook pick for any sales ring!”

History shows that the little gelding won at 12-1 on debut three months later at Kenilworth under William Bambiso in a Workriders race. Interestingly, the accomplished Bambiso had booted home Piet’s first winner, Head Of The Pack, just a month earlier.

Today Rockin’ Ringo has featured in all of the Botha yard’s three daily double achievements, is a Cape Town Met entry and the Premier on Saturday is his Met prep.

His second behind Firealley in the Gr2 Peninsula Handicap last time, marked a career highlight as Piet’s first Graded runner.

“We had him entered in the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate but we realistically felt that the much faster pace there would take too much out of Ringo just three weeks before the Met. So the Premier makes more sense and it’s all systems go,” confirmed Piet.

So do they really believe they can win it?

“Let’s put it this way. I don’t believe I will ever train a  horse with so much heart and fight. What he lacks for in class and ability, he makes up with a never-say-die approach. On paper he is weighted to run nearer last, but he is going to run his heart out and won’t go down without a fight. That’s just him! Win lose or draw, it’s an honour for the owners and for my team to have a runner on such a prestigious raceday.”

Piet says that if anything, he would rather have been drawn a bit wider than 3.

“I know from my riding days that it’s easier to recover from a slow start if you are a bit wider out. But I know we are up against a dual July and former L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate winner, and a Cape Guineas winner. But if we don’t have a ticket, we don’t have a chance.”

On the pace, Piet accepts there is no glaring pacemaker in the field and Ringo needs a gallop,  otherwise he is going to fight the whole way.

“That is in the lap of the gods. Anthony Andrews knows him well, and he will adapt as circumstances warrant.”

And will he go for the Met?

“Yes, at this stage. While we were keen to try and achieve a tenth win for him, I think the Met may be his farewell performance. I’d rather he go out on a well-deserved retirement on a high and well. So we will take it one race at a time.”

Since we chatted to Piet just over three years ago on his launch, there have been changes as life moves on. The youthful looking former jockey turned 45 on 29 December.

His eldest son Kyle has bought a place of his own and has moved out of the house, and is doing very well in his career. The younger sibling Aidan has just finished matric and is still awaiting  his results. He is looking into different universities.

We asked Piet if he has any regrets about becoming a trainer?

“No definitely not. It has been very tough, but I believe that I am exceptionally lucky to be surrounded by these marvelous horses every day.”

He does concede though that one of the challenges is not always being able to purchase the horses that he wanted at the sales.

“I have gambled on purchasing some of the cheaper horses at the sales, but I have found it very hard to find owners to take up all the shares. I don’t think that is a problem unique to my yard, though. We live in tough times.”

Being a horse lover and a genuine people’s person, Piet takes great joy in seeing the delight on his owners faces when their horses have reached certain milestones in their racing careers.

“I have enjoyed the opportunity to meet so many people from all walks of life coming together for the same love we all share, the horse.”

The next major project for the Dare To Dream Team is a move from their current barn to the yard previously occupied by Joey Ramsden, in the same complex.

“We are all very excited about this and have big plans – but it is not going to be easy to get them all done in the near future. We are a yard that encourages our owners to enjoy the experience. We braai and encourage visitors to the stable. Our intention is to upgrade the yard. We have some great plans. Watch this space!”

Piet has three runners on Friday, Day 1 of the festival.

“Sonic Burst is probably the best of my trio. She runs in a tough race but has ability and should be in the mix. Bella Mo has her second run in the opener. She was telling me she was ready to race. Physically she may not be quite there yet, but the second run will benefit her greatly. Thrilla goes round the turn for the first time in the third. She isn’t well drawn, but with a bit of luck in running she could find a quartet position.”

As a closing thought, Piet says he still believes horseracing is a great industry, but it has been hurt over the last few years.

“I really hope that we can all work together with the same goal in mind and that is to get racing back to where it was when we proudly called it the Sport Of Kings. Please allow me to also  thank all my owners that have supported me throughout this journey. I have been blessed with genuine loyalty and support.”