Still Our King Of The Apaches!

At the age of 77, there are very few younger and more energetic racehorse trainers around than Turffontein-based Tyrone Zackey.

The man they call the ‘King of the Apaches’ saddled something of a unique exacta at Turffontein last Saturday, and is a shining example of ‘boer maak ‘n plan’ and getting the best out of relatively unfashionable horseflesh.

When Kabelo Matsunyane flashed up to win the eighth race on the Turffontein card on the 7-1 Apache Son there was great joy on course amongst the Zackey and Backos family, as in second was 6yo stablemate Flashy Apache (66-1) with Nirvan Nastili up. The ‘Apache-Zackey’ exacta paid over R165 in the nine horse field!

Unfortunately stablemate Whafeef couldn’t cap the trifecta as Muzi Yeni had pulled him up at the 500m after feeling something. The Vet reported an abnormal respiratory noise and that the gelding was fatigued. Willem Ackerman’s Rafeef gelding will be back.

For loyal supporters Nadine and Kevin Backos, the race was a joyful token reward for their staunch support of a trainer, who despite approaching octogenarian status, spends seven days a week from sparrow until sunset at his Turffontein yard of 30 horses.

“I am so proud of Dad. This is why we call him King Of The Apaches! He knows just how to train them,” enthused Nadine as she emotionally told the Sporting Post about the origin of the progeny of the top international racer.

“During the covid-19 time, Dad was struggling to keep the stables going. We also lost our very dear friend Sheddy Habib, who was a very big patron of the yard.I was at the sales one day speaking to Winnie Fourie who worked for the Scott Bros. She told me she had 3 horses that nobody wanted to train. I had a look at them and decided to lease them. The trio were Arlington Action, Flashy Apache and Mad About Fashion. Sadly the latter was lost to colic, but they ended up keeping Dad’s stable going until we all got on our feet again,” recalled Nadine.

At a life-changing time for all of us, Tyrone Zackey, whose favourite introduction when asking him how he is, is ‘strong like a lion!’, persevered and was determined to maintain his passion.

Nadine tells that her Dad tried and persevered with what he had to keep his passion going through the global pandemic.

“I thank God everyday for these beautiful horses,that helped us when times were tough. Sheddy (Habib), whose nickname was Apache, surely brought them to us from above. And it was from these horses that we got a phone call from Bruce Le Roux ,asking if we wanted to lease Saturday’s winner Apache Son. We didn’t hesitate!”

An Electrician by qualification, Tyrone Zackey was a former East Rand United striker and it could all have turned out so different as he was destined to play professional soccer – until his Mom stopped his trial with an English Club.

“What will be, will be. I wouldn’t want to be doing anything other than training racehorses,” quips the man who eventually qualified as a ‘sparkie’ and then worked for Johan Rousseau and Earl Buckham for many years as an assistant trainer.

Beyond the memorable 2012 Durban July heartbeat second Smanjemanje, there are some big names on the wall of the family’s Bedfordview home including Judicial, Lions Blood, Warrior Man, Glider Pilot, Singing Sword, Galanthus, Katies Lane, Johnny Hero, to mention a few.

He once told the Sporting Post that it’s not particularly difficult to train good horses, but it’s not an easy game training slow horses!

“When you have ordinary horses you feel yourself trying tongue-ties, blinkers, different bits, different jockeys, work routines. But we love it and we soldier on. And always remember, a horse never knows what you paid for it – it’s what it has in its heart that counts.”

While Tyrone enjoys the support of leading owner-breeder Willem Ackerman, and has some nice quality horses in his string, he says that he is concerned that racing is not guarding the vital asset that is the smaller owner.

“With the export protocols open, we have seen a dramatic upturn in the sales prices. And we are very happy for the breeders who have a tough business. But what has happened to the smaller owner, who is a vital cog in the ecosystem? He has got no chance with the powerhouse buyers and big breeders joining forces. Racing is headed for powerhouses racing against powerhouses. One needs bread-and-butter racing and ordinary owners – and I do appreciate that syndicates have a role to play. But small owners are important.”

We hope that racing acknowledges Tyrone Zackey one day for his lifetime of passion and commitment. Maybe even granting him the freedom of Turffontein. But he assures us he is looking for no hand-outs.

The Apache – Going Strong!

The Sporting Post enquired as to the current whereabouts of The Apache and found him relishing his days in the beautiful paddocks of Jonathan and Cathy Martins’ Hadlow Stud in Mooi River.

“He is well, brimming with good health and has the energy of a youngster,” said Cathy Martin of Winston Chow’s 18 year old son of Mogok.

“He doesn’t get many mares, but Winston (Chow) sends when he can. He loves this horse,” added the veteran breeder.

The Apache’s story is remarkable. At the 2009 BSA Emperor’s Palace National 2 Year Old Sale he was knocked down for R80 000 and at the end of his career 4 years later in 2013 had amassed R17 million in 20 appearances across 4 countries!

In SA he raced 15 times for 6 wins including the Gr2 Dingaans, Gr1 Daily News 2000 and the Gr1 Champions Cup and 7 places including a very respectable run through the field to place 4th in the 2011 Durban July behind Igugu, Pierre Jourdan and English Garden.

He was trained by Gavin Van Zyl and was shipped to Dubai, racing for the powerful De Kock Racing Stable, where he won the Gr2 Al Rashidiya and placed 2nd in both the Gr1 Dubai Duty Free and the Gr1 Jebel Hatta before a 4th place run. Thereafter he ran 2nd in the Gr2 York Stakes in the UK before his final appearance in the US Arlington Million where he crossed the line first only to be relegated to second for interference in the latter stages. A remarkable record for any horse.

Former Multiple Champion Jockey Anthony Delpech remembers The Apache very well, having ridden him in his first 4 starts as a 2yo for a fourth, second and two firsts. “I thought he was a very smart horse. He always showed the potential of being a good horse – and what he did in Dubai and the States proved he was a very smart horse”.

By Mogok out of Apache Rose (Dolpour), he was bred at Scott Brothers Highdown Stud in the Fort Nottingham District of Kwazulu Natal.