Rodney Dunn

As a board member of the Western Province Owners and Trainers Association for 29 years RODNEY DUNN could well be hailed as the unsung hero of Western Province racing. During those years he was completely dedicated to uplifting and strengthening racing in his home province. His list of achievements is as long as his arm but it is worthwhile repeating all he has done for the J&B Met and for being able to attract even non racing people to the Cape Hall of Fame. As an owner he rates his winning the Premiers Trophy Grade 2 with Red Rake as one of his most exciting moments. With his owners cap on he would still like to win a Grade 1 race, the Queen’s Plate and the J&B Met. With his drive and determination it is quite possible that he will achieve one or more of his ambitions. We wish him a sincere vote of thanks for the great work he has done in the industry.

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What is your name? Rodney Dunn.

What is your star sign and birthdate? Cancer, 8th July 1947.

Where were you born and where did you grow up?  I was born in Cape Town and grew up in Cape Town.

Where do you live? Camps Bay.

Tell us about your family? Wife Joy, daughter Catherine, sons Michael and Andrew.

Do you have a ‘nickname’? Rod.

Favorite Food? Fish, chicken and salad.

Favourite drink? Tea.

Favourite music? Beatles, Hollies, Bee Gees, Elvis, Motown.

Favourite sport? Horseracing, rugby and soccer.

Favourite soccer team? Newcastle United.

Favourite holiday destination? UK.

Favourite racecourse in South Africa? Kenilworth.

Which characteristic about yourself do you like the most? Hardworking.

Is there anything the public don’t know about Rodney Dunn that they would be interested to know?  My appreciation to all the people who have supported me over many years.

Where did you go to school? Wynberg Boys High and Sea Point Boys High.

What did you do after school? Worked in the accounts department of the City Electrical Engineer. Went for ACF training S.A. Air Force.

What tertiary education did you achieve? Cape Technical College/ Certificate in Bookkeeping and Economics. Marketing and Market Research Diploma International School London.

How did your interest in horseracing begin? I started riding horses at the age of 11 for trainer Charlie Luyt.

Tell us what your first job was in horseracing?  I rode work at Kenilworth Racecourse before going to school.

What does WPOTA stand for? Western Province Owners and Trainers Association.

How did you become the Chairman of the WPOTA? I was elected to be Chairman.

What does the WPOTA do for the owners and trainers of Cape racing?  The WPOTA closed down in 2013 as part of the arrangement for Kenilworth Racing to go forward with a new board and Phumelela  as managers with the National Horseracing Trust as  guardians of the sport of horseracing. The establishment of the Racing Association in the Western Cape now takes the place of the WPOTA.

What are the main things you started in Cape racing that have made a big difference? The promotion of Kenilworth Racing to many overseas people from England, Ireland and Europe. The promotion of the J&B Met through our Charity evening and J&B Met Sweepstake for the last 21 years.The creation of the Honours Boards and Grade 1 photo galleries and the tribute to Pocket Power. The amount of non-racing people that visit Kenilworth Racecourse for functions, conferences and workshops is very high and growing. We race for 60+ meetings a year and the building is being used every week with non-racing people, so we give great exposure to them of our horses and people.

What is the reason that made you resign from the WPOTA? The WPOTA closed down after 92 years of existence as explained above.

Now that you have resigned from your position what will your interest in racing be? I am still Chairman of the WPOTA Benevolent Trust. The continuation of the Honours Boards and the Grade 1 photo galleries at Kenilworth Racecourse.

When did you first apply for your own racing colours? 1985.

What are your colours?  Red, white braces, black sleeves and white cap.

Which was the first trainer you began with?  Peter Kannemeyer.

Who was the first horse you owned and how good was he/she? Royal Pavilion, won 1 race and had 7 places and went on to be the dam of Divine Force.

Tell us about your first winner? My first winner was Royal Pavillion and it was very exciting.

Which are the best horses you have ever owned? Tassie Belle and Red Rake.

How many horses do you own now? Six.

Which trainers are your horses with? Dean Kannemeyer, Joey Ramsden, Justin Snaith and Jacques Strydom.

Which horses that you own will be worth following in the near future?  Tour De Var and She’s A Honey.

Have you had any experiences, as an owner that really disappointed you? Losing an objection.

The Gauteng season is just around the corner. Which horse/horses do you think will go well? Yorker and Wylie Hall.

What is your early fancy for the Vodacom Durban July? Captain America.

What were some of the most exciting moments you have experienced in racing? Watching Horse Chestnut winning at Kenilworth Racecourse. Running 2nd with Tassie Belle in a Grade 1. Winning the Premier’s Trophy Grade 2 with Red Rake.

The polytrack at Fairview has done great things for racing in PE. Do you think a polytrack in Cape Town will be good? Absolutely, especially at a new training centre where you can race and train on that surface.

As an avid racegoer and owner which stallions really excite you? Var, Silvano, Dynasty and Twice Over.

Do you ever visit stud farms to see the stallions and ‘babies’, if so, which studs do you visit? Avontuur, Klawervlei,  Drakenstein and Hemel ‘n Aarde.

Do you think racing was very different before as opposed to how it is today? Yes.

How successful do you think the Cape Hall of Fame is? Very successful. The galleries have created a lot of interest to racing and non-racing people visiting Kenilworth.

Do you think the sport should do more to promote the star performers? Yes, by trying to get on to mainstream TV – SABC1,2,3 and ETV and Super Sport.

Do you have any regrets about spending so many years to promote Cape Racing? No. I have enjoyed every minute.

Mention some of the great characters you have known in the game?  Peter Kannemeyer,
Terrance Millard, Katok Kasimov, Laurie Jaffee and Graham Beck.

Have you any really feel good stories to tell about a horse or horses you have been associated with? That would take too long to discuss all of them.

Do you like to have a bet on a horse and do you ever take any of the exotic bets? Yes, a straight bet, PA and Jackpot.

What ambitions do you still have in racing? To win a Grade 1, especially L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate and J&B Met.

Do you ever go overseas to watch racing? Yes, I go to the Investec Epsom Derby and Royal Ascot.

As a true blue race lover what do you think could be done to revitalize interest in racing throughout South Africa? More promotional events and mainstream television coverage.

Your wife, Joy, was always with you at official functions. Is she as passionate about racing as you are? Absolutely.

Does the old maxim, “Behind every successful man is an equally successful woman,” apply to Rodney Dunn? I would say supportive. I don’t think I could have served racing for more than 20 years without the support of Joy and our family.