The term ‘Swallows’ was coined in the 1950’s to describe wealthy travellers from abroad who spent their holidays enjoying the South African summer, particularly in Cape Town.
Theo De Klerk, champion trainer in the Cape at the time, was especially popular with the early groups of Swallows.
The Hon Gillian & Alec Foster lead in Gr3 Okapi Chairman’s Cup winner, Doublemint (Pic – 4Racing)
Theo’s list of owners included the leading lights of South African society, but there was always a member of the English racing aristocracy among them.
Bloodstock consultant John Freeman said that the Swallows have played a significant role in South Africa’s racing and breeding industry.
While one swallow may not make a summer, the collective contributions of these international racing enthusiasts have undeniably transformed South Africa’s racing landscape, creating a lasting legacy that continues to shape the industry today.
There are several examples of nomadic benefactors, including Alec and the Honourable Gillian Foster, Martin Wickens and Gisela Burg, Neville and Pamela Isdell, Charles and Caroline Gregson, Ian and Mary Mavor, John and Jill Warner and of course Lady Christine Laidlaw of Khaya Stables fame.
Neville & Pamela Isdell with Jonathan Snaith (Pic – 4Racing)
The Fosters originally came to South Africa on a cricket tour in 1977 and Freeman bought their first broodmare, Air Of Elegance.
They have become owners and breeders of repute and are associated with numerous stars of the track, including a home-bred Gold Cup winner Cereus, a Guineas winner Tap O’Noth, and a Durban July winner, Belgarion.
More recently, the Fosters bred and owned the rising star Questioning (by Querari), out of Wheredowego (by Captain Al). Freeman noted: “The Fosters are very loyal to their trainers, keeping the progeny of mares acquired by a specific trainer within the same stable.
Vaughan Marshall purchased Wheredowego and trained her runners, including Senso Unico and, of course, Questioning, who is now owned by Greg Bortz and his partners.”
Jill & John Warner lead in Rio Querari (Pic – 4Racing)
Neville Isdell was one of the most successful CEO’s of the Coca-Cola company. He and his father first came to South Africa from Northern Ireland in 1954 on the ocean liner, the Bloemfontein Castle, and fell in love with Africa.
The Isdells have lived and worked in 11 countries on five continents, spending decades championing large-scale conservation in Africa and around the world. Among her host of philantrophic ventures, Pamela Isdell has helped support a broad portfolio of nonprofit organisations, especially The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and Peace Parks South Africa.
Her current partnerships includes interests in smart three-year-old Please Be True and older handicappers Zapatillas, Salvator Mundi, Future Of Swing, Master Of Paris and Pacaya.
Trainer Justin Snaith commented: “It’s not often you meet people who make your life better, but this was the case when I met Pamela and Neville Isdell. Pamela loves her horses and all animals in general, supporting many welfare organisations, including the Western Cape Equine Trust, which caters to retired racehorses. They’ve had tremendous success in owning horses locally, and they’re a delight to train for.”
Professor John Warner is an Emeritus Professor of Paediatrics at Imperial College, London. His wife, Dr. Jill Warner, is an expert in allergic diseases and a sought-after speaker at scientific and clinical conferences across the world.
They are both Honorary Professors in Paediatrics at The University of Cape Town. Avid racegoers, they spend their time between their home in Val De Vie, Paarl, and their home in Winchester in the United Kingdom.
Their best runners so far have been the exported star sprinter, Carry On Alice, Computaform sprint winner, Rio Querari and the inaugural Gold Rush winner, Royal Aussie, all owned in partnership.
They have also kept two of their Captain Al race mares for breeding at Klawervlei Stud.
The Laidlaw family, like the Isdells, have invested much into the advancement of education, especially tHAT of deprived young people…
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