The decision by newly crowned SA Champion trainer Paul Peter to relinquish his licence in September shocked the local racing community and will go down as one of the knockout events of 2022, in a sport staging a recovery on many fronts.
Against that background, the news that the seven-time Gr1 winning former conditioner’s 28 year old son Tony will be taking out a trainer’s licence will be welcomed by many.
Tony Peter – new trainer writes his exam this week (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
In an exclusive chat with the Sporting Post on Sunday, Paul Peter emphatically rejected rumours that he was planning a comeback.
“No, I really won’t be training again. The decision I made was tough at the time, but was a realistic one, and was done in consideration of the implications for my family and my personal health. Today I am working in the family paint business and am feeling much better,” said a relaxed sounding Paul.
He went on to explain that his yard had grown exponentially over the years and that it would have made no sense for Tony to take over, ‘almost on the backfoot, as it were.’
“Tony has been around the yard since his teens. He is a compassionate horse and people person. He loves the game and now starts on a clean slate. He will write his licence examination on Monday and I believe the licencing board will sit possibly this week. I have every confidence that Tony will make us proud,” added the man who set a new South African record of 221 winners last season.
An assistant to his Dad, the quietly spoken Tony Peter was often seen filling a more prominent role in the top yard last term. It is often said that he played a major part in the prep of the stable’s winners, including Paul Peter’s final feature success with Shangani in the Marshalls World Of Sport Gr3 Gold Cup at the end of last season.
It is believed that Tony will commence with a small string and will be based at Turffontein.
Paul Peter with his other son, Josh (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
Paul Peter’s rise through the training ranks was meteoric. He trained his first winner Magico on Durban July day in 2010.
While Summer Pudding’s extraordinary SA Triple Tiara feat in 2020 was an undoubted highlight, Paul Peter trained 7 Gr1 winners and was known as a media-friendly conditioner who always had time to talk to the press.
We wish Tony Peter well.
