The Goose Lays A Golden Egg

Veteran Summerveld trainer Louis Goosen is determined to give something back to a game that has served him and his family over two generations.

The Goose speaks animatedly about the satisfaction he has gained from seeing the SA Jockey Academy apprentices enjoying his coaching on some fundamentals of life that many of us take for granted.

“In racing, we seem to enjoy complaining and criticizing. I have decided that I’d rather contribute and make a difference. Fixing the issues is a better outcome than walking around with a poisoned mind and a frown on the brow,” he adds matter of factly.

The Sporting Post visited Louis and his artist partner Lauren Watt at their immaculately appointed Summerveld yard on Monday morning as the 64 year old readied himself to travel to the Cape for the CRS Premier Yearling Sale this week.

The abundant silverware proudly adorning the office speaks of serious achievement on the racetrack over 31 years as a licenced trainer both in Gauteng and KZN.

“We didn’t buy those trophies at Cash Converters, you know,” laughs Louis as he reflects on the great days and also the tougher times, most recently during the lean covid years when he was down to just 8 horses.

But he’s a survivor and a soldier and today the Hollywoodbets-sponsored trainer has 35 horses in his team and is enjoying operating on an ever- changing landscape in a province that will soon be under new management, and under the same umbrella as Cape Racing.

“Hollywood and Greg Bortz are doing great things. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime chance to make this game great again. We all need to contribute positively. The Cape and KZN are two very different playgrounds. What works there may not work here. The process has been consultative so far. That’s a sign of good management. Exciting times!” he adds with a smile.

Louis’ former jockey cum champion trainer Dad Danie was killed in a motor accident when Louis was just 16. It was a life gamechanger of enormous proportions. The Marist Brothers pupil had to grow up fast. After school he did a trade as an electrician, fulfilled his conscription commitment to the Defence Force and then did Youth work.

Forty years later, as a wiser and weathered individual with plenty of business experience under the belt and an intimate grasp and insight of all aspects of the racing industry, Louis has stepped in to the Youth work role that he once enjoyed so much, again – this time a stone’s throw from his yard at the SA Jockey Academy at Summerveld.

“The SA Jockey Academy is one of the most respected institutions of its kind on earth and has been a proud producer of champion riders that have carried the flag internationally for many years. But we have found over time that, while the guys are taught to ride and to look after their horses, there is little focus on basic life and personal business skills. It’s a reality that each one of them is a brand. They become a provisional tax-payer. They have to deal with stakeholders. But they aren’t geared a lot of the time. That’s where my short course comes in and they seem to have taken to it in a big way.”

A look at the ‘Golden Eggs’ – the modules on the Goose’ syllabus list – shows that he has completed 7 of the 10 focus points after starting with the 4 Stages Of Learning and the concept of ‘GOYA’ in January.

“It is heartening to see the guys energized and running from ring to ring with enthusiasm. GOYA means ‘getting off your arse’ – basic stuff, really. But they can opt for SOYA and reap what they sew,” he laughs.

SOYA apparently means ‘sitting on your arse’.

The youngsters also get to learn about transactional states, about their personalities, the ‘I’m okay, you’re okay’ approach, staying okay, building their brands, polishing their image, getting rides, etc.

“Whatever their cultural or family origin, they have really warmed to the lectures. I keep them short – say 20 minutes of intense theoretical background – then we sit and tell true stories and use real life examples. I am proud to say that they weren’t too pleased that we postponed this week as I will be down in Cape Town at the Premier sale. That’s a sign of buy-in. Half the battle is won!”

Louis tells how he has observed an increase in competitiveness between individual apprentices.

“The mindsets are starting to change already. When they realise that they are all running their own business and competing with the guy who sleeps in the bed alongside them in the dormitory, they start developing and maturing. It’s exciting to see the growth in a short time!”

Louis was born into a racing stable, his late father, Danie having been many times Champion Trainer in the Eastern Cape, after his weight caught up with him as a jockey. Whilst riding, Danie was extremely competitive. He rode Wendy House to victory in the inaugural Eastern Cape Derby and Danie also rode all of the winners of the jackpot on the day.

The silverware in the Goosen cabinet bears testimony to the late Danie Goosen’s many achievements and championships as a trainer before his untimely death in a motor accident in 1977.

Louis started training in 1994, after a spell as Assistant Trainer to Chris Erasmus, then based at Newmarket.

The late Buddy Maroun was a longtime friend of Louis. The friendship really grew from 1996 onwards once Louis moved his string to Randjesfontein. There, Buddy became a mentor. Buddy’s death on 18 February 2008, whilst in Argentina, left Louis devastated.

Piere ‘Striker”’ Strydom was married to Louis’ sister, Beaty and remains a close friend.

Arguably the greatest SA jockey of all time, Piere has ridden more than 5500 winners of more than 22000 races.

Piere has won every single Grade 1 race on the South African racing calendar at least once. On more than one occasion, Piere has ridden 7 winners on the same day and he has ridden in Hong Kong, UK, Dubai, Mauritius, Zimbabwe and Australia. Over the years Piere and Louis have formed a firm bond, which transcends the day to day politics and fickle aspects of racing. This bond has grown steadily since 1988, when Louis was instrumental in bringing Piere up to Gauteng from Port Elizabeth to ride for Trainer Brett Warren. Piere and Louis’ accumulated racing experiences have left both in no doubt of the fact that racing is, at its core, a common sense industry and nothing else.

To Louis, Piere remains what he has always been – the best jockey in South Africa by far. The veteran’s honest, no nonsense, accurate and common sense feedback after riding a horse remains the jewel in the crown of any stable for whom he rides.

Louis believes that this week’s Premier Yearling sale is going to be very competitive.

“It’s a high quality catalogue and recent sales have shown that the enthusiasm and buying power is there. I have earmarked the pages that have caught my eye. I believe in buying well through focusing on value and eliminating risk. I have a solid track record of acquiring low budget horses that have gone on and done well, and that will be my aim again. I expect to be more active on Day 2 when the CRS Pinhooking incentive scheme is available.” 

Louis is willing to assist anybody considering buying. He arrived in Cape Town on Tuesday and can be contacted on 083 959 6262.