Veteran journalist Michael Clower has decided to retire after more than half a century reporting on racing in Kenya, Ireland and South Africa.
He told the Sporting Post: “I was delighted when Kenilworth Racing and their PR consultant Kirsti Lyall invited me to return to write reports and features. When Independent Newspapers decided early in the lockdowns that they were no longer prepared to devote much space to racing I thought it was all over.
“However the last two Saturdays have rammed home to me that at the age of 76 neither my eyes nor my reactions are good enough to cope with the Cape Town traffic at the weekend, let alone on a Wednesday when half the drivers seem to have been taking lessons from Lewis Hamilton.
“I can’t complain. For 53 years I have been paid for doing something that I enjoyed so much I would happily have done it for nothing – and not many people are that lucky in life.
“I would like to take this final opportunity to thank all in racing who have helped me and have put up so patiently with my endless questions (eg Richard Fourie: “You always ask me that!’) – and, perhaps even more importantly, all those who have read my words over the years. If they have enjoyed them even half as much as I have enjoyed writing them it will all have been wonderfully worthwhile.”
Ed – we wish Michael a peaceful and relaxing retirement. His inciteful and to the point contributions will be missed!
