Michael Clower is a name and figure to many people in the South African horse racing industry. His articles appear both in many local publications, such as Parade and the Cape Times, and in many international papers and websites.
Few, realize, however the depth of Clower’s background, and insight into, in the racing world.
Michael Clower and his wife Tessa have lived in South Africa since 2006. They currently reside in Stellenbosch, where Michael’s house is resplendent with racing prints and books.
Clower was born in Sussex, and educated in Shrewsbury. Both his father and grandfather before him were trainers. His father, Dick Clower, rode as an amateur, mostly for his own father Joe who was a trainer in Nottingham.
Despite becoming interested in a career with horses whilst staying on a friend’s farm, Michael was persuaded by parental pressure to become a chartered accountant and was placed first in the finals. Whilst speaking to various agencies in London, Clower was told that the best place to go at the time was Kenya.
Michael duly went to East Africa as a fully qualified chartered accountant, but his heart remained with the sport of kings.
Whilst in Kenya, Michael applied to become racing correspondent for the region’s East African Standard. The editor was not convinced of his qualifications, and was most reluctant to hire the young Clower. However, in the end, the editor gave Michael a chance – he was given two meetings to cover in order to prove himself.
Clower spent six memorable years in Kenya, where he also rode in some of the races. Remarkably, Michael (who could ride at seven stone (49.5kgs) won three of his first six races – but failed subsequently to add to that total!
At that time, the quality of racing was considerably higher than it is today, with jockeys such as British champion Pat Eddery amongst the regular riders. Clower was much impressed with the Kenyan champion 2yo Silver Shadow. An unstoppable force as a youngster, Silver Shadow would simply pulverize his opposition by drawing further and further away. Sadly, he contracted bilihary and was never the same afterwards.
One of the most memorable figures in Kenya during Michael’s stint there was Beryl Markham. The first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic, Markham was one of the greatest trainers ever seen in East Africa. A strong, no-nonsense woman, she sent out a string of champions, and won every major race that Kenya had to offer. Markham also trained in South Africa for Lady Kenmare at the Broadlands Stud.
While in Kenya, Michael met his future wife, Tessa, who was also involved in racing, albeit in an administerial role. The couple eventually returned briefly to Britain, where Michael was hoping to further his career. He was advised by Johnson Irving, who was at the time head of the Goffs Sale Company, to try his hand as a writer in Ireland, rather than in the somewhat snobbish British industry.
The Clowers, thus, duly moved to Ireland where Michael got work with the Irish Field, and also became the Irish correspondent for the British magazine, Pacemaker.
He also became a full time writer for the now defunct paper, the Sporting Life. In his spare time, Clower also managed to do press releases for various stud farms, and PR work for various racecourses.
What struck him, forcibly, was the passion the Irish racegoers have for National Hunt meetings, with even relatively lowly meetings attracting strong, enthusiastic crowds. By comparison, Irish flat racing was not nearly as well attended, with meetings at such major courses as the Curragh often attracting very few people.
During his time in Ireland, Michael was fortunate enough to interview many of the industry’s leading players. He got to know people like Tom Dreaper and Pat Taffe, trainer and rider of the great Arkle. (Clower maintains that great jumper to be the finest horse he ever saw.)
He also conducted several memorable interviews with the legendary trainer, Vincent O’Brien. After turning down previous requests from Clower, O’Brien finally granted an interview for the Irish Field correspondent. However, he came down with a bout of flu, and John Gosden, subsequently a top trainer in his own right, ended up showing Michael around the magnificent yard. O’Brien subsequently described to Michael his confidence in The Minstrel, and how sure he was of the colt’s ability to win the Epsom Derby. (He was proved right, for The Minstrel duly landed the 1977 Derby under a driving ride from Lester Piggott).
Michael Clower was also left with a highly favourable impression of Vincent’s Ballydoyle successor, Aidan O’Brien. Clower describes Aidan as ,” A hard worker, who is very ambitious. At home, instead of watching television, Aidan will watch his horses on the close circuit tv.”
After spending 33 years in Ireland, Tessa Clower was longing for more sun. The Clowers had enjoyed their stay in Kenya, but decided that their next African destination would be South Africa.
His decision to resign as a full time correspondent for the Racing Post was greeted with much dismay, and earned Clower a place on the front page (see picture).
When he arrived in South Africa, Michael Clower started the magazine, Bloodstock News, a publication which focused on the South Africa breeders and various bloodstock sales. Sadly, Clower was eventually forced to pull the plug on the magazine, much to the chagrin of many figures in the breeding world.
Various industry figures lobbied for Clower to become involved in the Parade magazine, and he duly began working for that Durban based magazine. He also began writing articles for the Cape Times’ racing section on a regular basis. Today, Michael remains as the South African correspondent for both the Irish Field and Racing Post.
Clower has also written a number of books. One of which, Mick Kinane –Big Race King, was named Sporting Life’s racing book of the year a few years ago. Other books written by him include The Legend of Istabraq, Kings of the Turf and Champion Charlie.
Michael is positive about South African racing saying, ”The quality of South African racing is very good. It seems to be 3kgs behing the very best, but the country has not benefited from the use of shuttle stallions. The breeders produce a very good product, and there are more than enough people willing to buy South African stock. I am also impressed by the quality of the South African racecourses, which are really good. Kenilworth itself is a much better track than anything in Ireland, and a better track than many British racecourses. It’s sad that people don’t come racing, but that is by no means just a local problem.”
Clower is also struck by the contrast in fortunes that journalists enjoy here as opposed to their fellow writers in the UK. He believes that modern day writers have more leeway to write as they see fit, as opposed to journalists of yesteryear, who could easily be found liable on a variety of charges.
Michael rates Pierre Strydom and Andrew Fortune as the best riders in the country, whilst he nominates What A Winter as the most exciting prospect currently in training.
It is hard to imagine many people in horse racing who have the experience and insight of Michael Clower. It is to be hoped that he continues to write books and contribute to the turf’s well being for many years to come.
