Pretty Darn Good!

Saturday’s popular WSB Cape Town Met victory by her stable star Kommetdieding, with its associated entry into the history books, hasn’t quite sunk in yet for Milnerton trainer Michelle Rix.

“I would describe it as very surreal,” Michelle told the Sporting Post on Monday as her new phone rang intermittently with calls from a hungry media and friends and supporters.

In the dizzy whirl and blurr that was a hectic Saturday, Michelle sadly had her phone stolen – but that frustrating inconvenience has failed to dampen her spirits.

“The media and public have been amazing. However, my phone was taken before the last race on Saturday so I feel terrible for not answering calls,” she explained apologetically.

So who is Michelle Rix?

Around horses all her life, she spent her early racehorse training days under the guidance of the late Andre Heyns, who was a regular producer of graded race winners before his tragic and untimely passing.

Her vastly experienced Dad was a key mentor for over a decade, and Michelle even spent some time in Durban where Summerveld veteran Dennis Bosch taught her ‘a great deal’ about corrective shoeing.

Perovskia was a stable star from the early days of the partnership and won the Gr2 Drill Hall Stakes before being exported to Mauritius.

Michelle has certainly shown the qualities needed to be successful in a male-dominated environment.

We asked her to sum up her approach.

“Well, the horse always comes first, so that would be paramount. Then good people skills and the ability to market your brand is important. And there is no question that having a thick skin is an added benefit,” she laughs.

The bottom line of it all is that the 35 year old blonde horsewoman has achieved what no lady trainer has in close on 140 years of the Met.  This after winning the July six months earlier with Kommetdieding!

In 2017 Candice Bass-Robinson became the first fairer sex conditioner to win the Durban July after 120 years.

Her Milnerton neighbour Michelle Rix has raised the bar and now won the two leading races consecutively after a combined 260 years. Quite something, and she is a newbie really – it’s not even three years since she realised her lifelong ambition to train horses, going into partnership with her Dad, Harold Crawford.

It was in fact Dad that found the Klawervlei bred Kommetdieding at the champion nursery’s Farm Sale. This sensational horse cost only R55 000 and has been the dealmaker in Michelle Rix’ rise to stardom.

But having a good horse is no automatic licence to big race success.

We asked when she felt that they had the Met won.

“I really never like to be too bullish. But I felt we were going to win when we nominated. I based this on the fact that I knew he was a better and stronger horse going into the Met, as opposed to the Durban July.”

On Saturday’s race, Michelle’s eyes brighten when she reflects on those dramatic closing stages.

“We had Gavin Lerena in the irons. He really is the consummate professional who is not only a great rider but a very knowledgeable horseman. And Kommet is a horse that really likes to fight back when challenged. I feel that many thought he would get swallowed up by Linebacker and Jet Dark when he was in the open going into the final 300m. But he really has the heart of a lion and he went on to make it a dream day for Ashwin (Reynolds) and our team. As I said, I am still mentally digesting it!” she laughs.

Watch the replay here:

While her vastly experienced former jockey Dad Harold is approaching 70 and has taken a deserved back seat in the operation, Michelle leans on some passionate and enthusiastic support, including her beautiful daughter Courtney, who was there to support her Mom and is involved at the stables every day.

“Dad has earned the opportunity to enjoy the back seat, but he still plays his role. Then there is our assistant Gary Mynhardt, who has been with us for 7 months, and Warren Teixiera and his fiancé Michaela van Staaden who are actually owners of ours, but are there daily helping me out. Grant Behr has also been an important player in Kommet’s work programme. We also have 14 grooms who are a great bunch of guys who take really good care of their horses. Luvo Zingelwayo is Kommet’s groom and he is so proud to be associated with a champion! I am very fortunate to enjoy the support of a team that I would go to war with,” adds Michelle.

We observed that owner Ashwin Reynolds was on record as saying that he spends more time at the stables than at home these days. Is he one of those famous ‘owner-trainer’ types?

Michelle says that her top owner ‘is a super person who leaves all the training up to me’.

“Ashwin has been an amazing support and really has my back in so many aspects of racing.”

Racing is a fickle – at times even shallow – game and we asked Michelle if she had observed some taking her more seriously, or even giving her the time of day, when they hadn’t previously.

She laughs as she points out that she has had messages and calls from people in the industry who she hadn’t spoken to before.

“But I’m a firm believer in treating everyone the same and staying humble as this game can put you in your place very quickly if your head gets too big.”

Asked about the short-term plans for Kommetdieding and whether he may be travelling abroad, Michelle says that they may consider the Premiers Challenge on the Highveld on 30th April.

“I can’t see Ashwin selling the People’s Horse!” she adds with a broad smile.

On her own short-term plans after a stressful few months, Michelle indicates that she is looking forward to a ‘much deserved’ holiday in Mauritius with her Husband and Daughter, and close friends Brett and Gwen.