A doting mother, former racehorse trainer, yearling inspector and proud proprietor of her much-loved Far End Farm in Mooi River, well-known SA racing personality Jane Thomas has passed away at the age of 61 after a bravely fought battle with cancer.
A simple philosophy of hard work and rolling up her sleeves – and importantly loving her horses, her staff and her clients – saw Jane Thomas evolve from humble beginnings thirty five years ago to a respected and leading player in a tough and competitive market.
Jane Thomas – a real character and a love of people and the horse (Pic – Supplied)
Jane took out an open trainer’s license, training off her Far End Farm in Mooi River from 1990 – 2000, before shifting her focus back to pre-training. Thus the Far End we know today was born 24 years ago.
She used 400 acres of her 1100 acre sprawl of paradise for the 120 odd horses that she prepared The balance of the farm was leased to a local dairy farmer.
“It’s a very seasonal business operation. After the sales the horses come to us and are schooled and conditioned both mentally and physically for the rigors of full training. The prep includes starting stalls conditioning.”
She also did the groundwork for the Ready To Run sales.
“One has to be careful that they’re not ‘Ready To Retire’ sales. When you’re working with young horses, it’s important to keep in mind that you’re not just keeping them sound for the sale. The most important thing is to produce a sound, confident horse at the sales for the buyer to see,” she once mused in a chat with the Sporting Post.
Far End is in a beautiful horsey heaven setting. With the backdrop of the snow-capped Drakensberg Mountain range, the nearby Mooi River winds through the breathtakingly beautiful landscape of the Natal Midlands with its rolling hills and lush green vegetation.
Jane was at one with the Voortrekkers who settled there in 1830 and were so taken by the river and its surrounding scenery that they named it, rather unimaginatively one could argue, Mooi River.
“We are a working farm. There is mud to play in. There are dogs all over the place. Nothing fancy here – just good old fashioned love, care and attention. It’s school and therapy for racehorses. And we love them all,” she told us enthusiastically.
Born in England and after realising that the miserable weather wasn’t for her, Jane packed her bags at the age of 23 and set off on an adventure that would see her lay her roots in Africa.
After spending time in the USA, she arrived in South Africa, met a husband and, by her own admission, sort of fell in love with Mooi River. She passed peacefully there earlier today.
No longer married, but a proud mother of two adult sons – South Dakota based Luke and the adopted Durbanite Mzo – Jane immersed herself in her horses and her business.
She once told the Sporting Post that good horses and good people were the cornerstone of her success.
Jane Thomas (far right) with Emma Rorke and Glen Kotzen (Pic – Supplied)
Jane cited 2017/18 Equus Champion Stayer and 2016 Gr1 Investec Cape Derby winner It’s My Turn as one of the most rewarding cases she has dealt with in recent years.
“Trainer Dean Kannemeyer started with a broken horse. Owner Fred Crabbia had the patience to let him take as long as he needed. In five weeks It’s My Turn won the Derby, the Gold Vase and the Gold Cup. That takes some doing! After the Gold Cup he was sent back to us – he certainly had earned the holiday and enjoyed a month of playing in the mud and having great fun. He went back to Dean at Summerveld last week. He is a lovely horse and he could still make some waves this season!”
The Dream Team! Jane with Form Bloodstock’s Jehan Malherbe and trainer Dean Kannemeyer. The trio were a feature at the sales over the past 20 years (Pic – Candise Lenferna)
She laughed when telling us about her other much loved resident, Singapore champion Rocket Man.
Probably the most famous name to come out of Singapore racing, Fred Crabbia’s son of Viscount won 17 races at Kranji, with his standout performances being his record of four Lion City Cups from 2009 to 2012.
“There are no retirement facilities in Singapore so Fred flew his champ back to South Africa. He has settled down well here and enjoys a great life. It’s My Turn stole his thunder a bit in his stays with us. I think Rocket Man was happy to see the back of him!”
Jane loved her staff, the core of which have been with her for close on 35 years.
“We have had no labour issues. We look after our staff and pay them well. We are a close-knit team.”
Jane once summed up the need to be tough and professional in this game.
“Horse people are a bit weird. But we’re all exactly the same – we’ve all got the same glitch in our personality that made us go near a horse in the first place!”
Our sincere sympathies and condolences to her family and friends.
You will be sadly missed, Jane. Rest in peace.
